Letter to the Editor: Electricity costs will be back to 2018 levels in 2021

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Alliant Energy Director of Operations Marty Mensen):

decorahnews.com recently ran a story (http://www.decorahnews.com/news-stories/2019/11/23824.html) about a filing in Alliant Energy's electric rate review proceeding made by the Decorah Area Group (DAG).  We would like to clarify the impact the recent settlement agreement will have on our Decorah customers.

In October, Alliant Energy reached an agreement with a majority of the interested parties in the rate review. It has the support of the Sierra Club, Environmental Law and Policy Center/Iowa Environmental Council, IBEW Local 204, Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Large Energy Group (which represents several large customers including Collins Aerospace), Large General Service Group, Walmart and the Office of Consumer Advocate. The Consumer Advocate is part of the Iowa Attorney General's office and represents your best interests in any of our filings before the Iowa Utilities Board.

Based on the settlement, we don't expect much of a change in customer costs for electricity between 2019 and 2020, understanding that changes in temperature from year to year will impact your bill. By 2021, we predict your energy costs will be lowered to approximately the same rate you paid in 2018. Besides saving you money on fuel costs, our investments in wind power will also increase the amount of renewable energy flowing to your home to more than 40 percent.

This agreement also enables three new Alliant Energy renewable programs, including a community solar option, which will help support Decorah residents in meeting their sustainability goals.

From providing new renewable energy options to customers to our new operations center, Alliant Energy is investing in our local community and preparing to serve Decorah for years to come."