The Iowa House passed a bill which lifts some regulations, making it easier for utilities to build new power plants in Iowa. Representative Willard Jenkins, a republican from Waterloo, says it’ll keep Iowa from having a California-style power crisis.Critics say the bill is back-door de-regulation, and it’ll lead to higher electric rates for Iowans. Representative Mike Cormack of Fort Dodge was one of the few republicans to oppose the bill. He called the bill “corporate welfare.”Representative Phil Wise, a democrat from Keokuk, says democrats, including Governor Vilsack, want action on the issue — so compromise could be reached.The bill, which passed the House after 11 o’clock last night on a 53 to 43 vote, now goes to the Senate.
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