A bill to let Iowa utilities charge a new fee to customers who install solar panels is among the policy proposals that cleared a procedural deadline in the legislature. Senator Michael Breitbach, a Republican from Strawberry Point, says it’s fair for all customers to pay for the maintenance of utility infrastructure.
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Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says the bill is a “power grab” by the state’s investor-owned utilities.
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A similar bill cleared a House committee earlier this week. Bills dealing with state taxes and spending are eligible for consideration at ANY time, but bills about other policy objectives must have won approval in a House or Senate committee by the end of this week.