tamatoledonews.com-DES MOINES (SPECIAL) – This week, Iowa Governor Chet Culver wrote to Interstate Power and Light (IPL) president Thomas Aller requesting that the utility delay a planned electrical rate increase until its customers are allowed input at a public hearing. In his letter, Culver wrote that the sudden increase of rates had not been approved by the Iowa Utilities Board and the increase would create a ripple effect throughout local economies.

“The timing of the rate increase comes when many of IPL’s customers are already struggling with budgetary decisions. This action impedes the ability of those customers to make rational, longer-term financial plans,” Culver wrote. “In the midst of these efforts, IPL’s customers have notified of your company’s intent immediately to impose rate increases ranging from 12 to 18 percent without any prior opportunity for them effectively to be heard on the matter.”

The Governor made the request for two reasons. Literature sent to IPL customers made no mention the rate increases have yet to be approved by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), and can only be approved after a public hearing, which has not yet occurred. Second, the rate increases come when Iowans, business and school districts are struggling to balance their own budgets in difficult times.