The Iowa Utilities Board ends its hearings on Alliant Energy's proposed rate increases

The Iowa Utilities Board Wednesday afternoon wrapped up three days of hearing testimony from supporters and opponents of Alliant Energy's request to be granted a 24.5 percent rate increase for electricity provided to its residential customers (and varying proposed increases for three other classes of customers).

Wednesday's testimony included testimony from Sheila Tipton, the attorney hired by the City of Decorah, Luther College, Winneshiek Medical Center, NICC Calmar and the Winneshiek Energy District (called "The Decorah Area Group") to oppose Alliant's request.

The IUB gaveled the third day of testimony to a close before 3:00 Wednesday afternoon, then went into closed door session by itself to review the past three days.

Alliant Energy last week said it had reached an agreement with some of the opponents of the rate increase request.  The agreement would provide for a 15 percent rate increase for Alliant's residential customers.  Much of Wednesday's testimony involved questions by the three IUB members about the new proposal from Alliant.