first on decorahnews.com: Alliant Energy asks that its figures on the cost of moving power lines on Locust Road be kept private

Alliant Energy has filed requested information with the Iowa Utilities Board about the cost of relocating electric lines and other facilities as part of the Locust Road project.

But the IUB filing comes with a twist--a request by the utility that the information provided to the IUB be treated as confidential.  The filing says in part, "(Alliant) treats these confidential materials as trade secrets or commercially sensitive information which, if released, would give advantage to competitors and serve no public purpose."

The filing goes on to say the information provided to the IUB comes from confidential bids and estimates from third party contractors.  It argues, "If the specific details of the estimated contractor costs for labor and materials, (Alliant's) cost estimation methodology or other bid terms were disclosed to competitors in the marketplace, it would provide competitors an advantage through knowledge of the cost, terms and conditions under which (Alliant) plans to procure services and the costs offered by the anticipated contractor."

The City of Decorah sent a letter to the Iowa Utilities Board accusing Alliant of using possible charges for relocating electric utility lines along Locust Road as a way of pressuring Decorah to sign a franchise agreement with Alliant.  A follow-up letter to the IUB said Alliant had not provided a detailed cost estimate for relocation of its electrical wires and equipment along Locust Road and asked that the IUB request such an estimate--a request the IUB granted.