March 12, 2026
DES MOINES — Yesterday, the Iowa Utilities Commission approved a settlement between Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and stakeholder parties, including the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), Iowa Environmental Council (IEC), and Sierra Club, to authorize up to 1,000 megawatts of new wind energy in Iowa. The new wind power is expected to produce enough energy to power more than 350,000 homes.
In evaluating future energy needs, IPL’s modeling identified new wind generation as the most cost-effective resource available. Independent analysis conducted by the environmental organizations participating in the case reached the same conclusion, finding wind to be a strong choice across a wide range of future electricity demand and price scenarios.
Together, the analyses showed expanding IPL’s wind capacity to be a practical, no-regrets investment that delivers reliable energy and benefits to all IPL customers while minimizing long-term costs.
“Wind power is a cost-effective, no-regrets resource available for Iowa,” said Josh Mandelbaum, Senior Attorney at ELPC. “At a time when electric bills are top of mind and energy demand is growing, wind provides low-cost, affordable energy for customers without harmful pollution.”
The settlement authorizes IPL to develop the wind projects and provides advance approval to recover reasonable construction costs. It also allows the company to move forward in time to qualify for federal clean energy tax credits.
“We are hopeful that the Board’s order can put IPL on a better path going forward,” said Steve Guyer, Senior Energy Policy Counsel at IEC. “New wind power will save customers money and deliver the economical, pollution-free electricity that Iowa needs.”
The environmental groups have encouraged IPL to expand its wind resources for several years, including in prior cases. The groups collaborated with other parties in the docket to reach agreement on a future resource planning process, which is a necessary mechanism to protect customers. It will provide customers and stakeholders with more robust opportunities to influence IPL’s generation plans in light of the rapidly changing conditions in the energy sector.
“With rising energy costs and rapidly increasing electricity demands from large data centers, it’s more important now than ever that Iowans know what to expect from their electric bills,” said Emma Colman, Senior Campaign Organizer at Sierra Club. “This planning process will provide much-needed transparency into Iowa’s energy generation profile and how future electricity costs may be impacted.”