The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would let the major electric utilities in Iowa charge a new fee to most customers with solar panels. Republican Senator Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point says Rural Electric Cooperatives and most city-owned utilities charge solar customers a fee for access to power lines.

Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, disputes the assertion solar customers are a drain on the power grid.

The bill passed with the support of all but three Republicans in the senate. Similar legislation is eligible for debate in the Iowa House.