What will the state legislature do about net metering credits for solar energy in Iowa?

Now that the Iowa Legislature has begun its 2017 session, supporters of the Winneshiek Energy District are closely watching whether the legislature will make any changes to Iowa's net metering rules.

The rules cover what utilities--especially Alliant energy and MidAmerican Energy--pay solar energy producers for the extra electricity the solar panels produce.  Should utilities pay the wholesale cost of energy or the retail cost of energy as a rebate to solar energy producers?

Winneshiek Energy District Executive Director Andy Johnson told a morning breakfast Tuesday that many Iowa utilities pay back at retail energy prices, but Alliant Energy pays at the lower wholesale price.  Energy District representatives have been active in Des Moines to advocate for local solar producers--both the individual homeowner and the larger companies and community institutions.