Des Moines Register | Libby Jacobs, October 5
Much like railroads crisscrossing the state carry commodities from our farms to feed the world, Iowa needs transmission lines to transport locally generated electricity to help power the Midwest.
It’s up to our state policymakers, grid planners, and rural communities to make it happen. While the Midwest has generally been ahead of the curve on electricity infrastructure, a recent federal regulation will require some new best practices to ensure the Heartland efficiently enables economic growth for decades to come.
In May, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finalized a rule requiring grid operators to conduct better long-term planning to help ensure there is sufficient electric transmission capacity to meet future system needs. The regulation stipulates that customers only pay for projects from which they benefit, and the rule expands states’ role in the transmission planning processes.
That’s great news for Iowa families. Better infrastructure planning means access to the lowest-cost energy. And that translates into lower power bills, as well as reliable service.
In addition to keeping the lights on, transmission lines also enable economic growth. They connect energy producers in the state to our neighbors in the Midwestern power market. And they’re the connective tissue that enables rural landowners to develop clean energy projects on their land. Current lines deliver nearly $135 million in annual tax and land lease revenue for Iowa’s rural communities and keep nearly 5,500 workers employed.
Two years ago, the Midwestern grid operator approved a portfolio of 18 transmission projects aimed at ensuring reliable, low-cost power across the region. All told, the projects are expected to provide 2.6 times more benefits than costs. And they have a critical role to play in unlocking economic growth in the region.
Roughly 15.7 gigawatts of clean energy and 1.4 GW of natural gas projects are waiting to connect to Iowa’s system. A lack of available transmission capacity is hindering their ability to come online. And it’s potentially Iowans who will miss out on the economic benefits unless new lines are built.
That’s where we all can get involved. Your support for building these new lines is critical. This year and in the years ahead.
Infrastructure has always served an important role in connecting and uniting America. The railway paths connecting Iowa to our neighbors were largely built in the 1800s and are still useful today. Likewise, the transmission lines now under consideration will greatly benefit current and future generations. By supporting their development, Iowans can enable their own prosperity while continuing to support the nation.
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