Electrict deregulation bill on again, off again

The future of a bill which deregulates Iowa’s electric utility industry is in doubt.Governor Tom Vilsack, a democrat, has offered his “verbal blessing” of the bill which will let companies compete to provide Iowans’ electricity.But officials from Vilsack’s own Department of Natural Resources are lobbying against the bill, objecting to provisions which they contend undercut alternative energy — like wind turbines. Vilsack denies there’s a mixed message coming from his administration.Republicans had intended to begin debating the electric deregulation bill today, but have delayed it as they try to get 51 votes to pass the bill.House Republican Leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City says they have some democrats on board and want to see if they can get some more.Rants doesn’t know what sort of odds to place on whether the bill will pass