Utilties Board approves increase for MidAmerican, but not the one they wanted

The Iowa Utilities Board made a ruling in a complicated electric rate case involving the customers served by Alliant Energy and its Interstate Power and Light Company subsidiary. Board spokesman Rob Hillesland says the board approved a 28-million dollar increase.He says that’s an estimated three-point two percent increase, compared to the nine-point-six percent increase the company had requested. The rate increase will vary depending on which zone you live in as, Hillesland says the Utilties Board hasn’t been able to make all the rates the same just yet. He says the board has found it difficult to equalize the rates without a big hit to those who’ve been paying the lowest rates, in southern Iowa, but he says they’re getting closer. He says those electric customes in southern Iowa will see the biggest increase. He says customers formerly served by Iowa Southern Utilities — such as Burlington, Ottumwa, Newton and Osceola — could see a monthly increase of four dollars and sixty-two cents. The increase is not quite as big for Interstate Power Company customers.He says those in Mason City, Dubuque and Clinton could see an increase of three dollars and fifty-seven cents. The increase for the northern zone was the lowest.He says those in the northern rate zone, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown, and Spirit Lake was two dollars and sixty-seven cents. He says that increase would be the same for southeastern customers in Keokuk in Fort Madison. Hillesland says Alliant has 20 days to appeal the ruling of the board.