Members of the Iowa Utilities Board are out of their office in Des Moines today for an event in Cedar Falls. Board spokesman Rob Hillesland says it’s an outreach trip. Hillesland says they are hosting an open house type of event at the Cedar Falls Community Center and Library and it is free to the public.
Hillesland says they want to help people understand what the three-person board does. He says their duties include overseeing some of the basic services that keep things moving in communities.
“The board regulates the rates and the services of electric and natural gas and water utilities. Also, the services of communications utilities and it generally supervises the construction of pipelines and transmission lines and the distribution of electrical current,” Hillesland says.
The outreach event allows board members to talk personally with people about about what they do. “How the board works with utility companies and customers and acts as an intermediary when conflicts and complaints may arise,” Hillesland says. “And also some more specific details about board programs and services that people may not be aware of.”
The Utilities Board is required by state statute to make decisions that balance the interests of all parties to ensure the utilities provide adequate and reliable service at reasonable prices. The event runs from 1 to 6 p.m. and Hillesland says many local officials will also be on hand to answer questions from the public. Hillesland says they board hopes to do more outreach events in the future.