March’s Energy Breakfast, hosted by the Winneshiek Energy District, will present information on a recently proposed law that would threaten the continued growth of solar for Iowa’s two investor-owned utilities. The bill, HSB 185, was proposed by MidAmerican Energy and would instruct the Iowa Utilities Board to make changes to Iowa’s net-metering policy which allows solar owners fair compensation for energy sold back to utilities.

Johnson and Energy District staff will explore the effects that the bill -if passed- would have on solar in Iowa. Iowa currently has over 800 solar jobs statewide, according to a report by The Solar Foundation. The bill as proposed, would damper the growth the industry has seen in the past 5 years and may even threaten the economics of existing solar customers.

If time allows the presentation will also discuss Alliant Energy’s proposed 25% base rate increase and how customers can make their voices heard during the rate hearing process.

The Breakfast presentation begins at 7:30 am on Tuesday, March 19th at T-Bock’s Underground. Coffee and muffins by T-Bocks will be available for purchase. The presentation will last until 8:30 and will conclude with postcard writing.

The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend, please register at energydistrict.org/breakfast/ by Friday, March 15th.