Electric deregulation sure to spark lots of debate

A high-powered debate is set to begin this week in the Iowa House as lawmakers consider a bill which would deregulate electric utilities. House Republican Leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City says House members will meet privately this morning to discuss the bill.House Speaker Brent Siegrist, a republican from Council Bluffs, is looking to Iowa’s democrat Governor for aid because there aren’t enough republican “yes” votes in the House.Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson of Dows says if bill backers falter in the House, the legislation may never be considered in the Senate. Iverson even goes so far as to say the bill is not one of his priorities.Iverson, though, favors deregulating electric utilities because he believes competition will drive rates down.