Iowa Code
Chapter 476 - PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATION
Section 476.48 - Small wind innovation zone program.

476.48 Small wind innovation zone program.
1. Definitions. For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
a. “Electric utility” means a public utility that furnishes electricity to the public for compensation and which enters into a model interconnection agreement with the owner of a small wind energy system as provided in subsection 4.
b. “Small wind energy system” means a wind energy conversion system that collects and converts wind into energy to generate electricity which has a nameplate generating capacity of one hundred kilowatts or less.
c. “Small wind innovation zone” means a political subdivision of this state, including but not limited to a city, county, township, school district, community college, area education agency, institution under the control of the state board of regents, or any other local commission, association, or tribal council which adopts, or is encompassed within a local government which adopts, the model ordinance as provided in subsection 3.
2. Program established.
a. The utilities division shall establish and administer a small wind innovation zone program to optimize local, regional, and state benefits from wind energy and to facilitate and expedite interconnection of small wind energy systems with electric utilities throughout this state. Pursuant to the program, the owner of a small wind energy system located within a small wind innovation zone desiring to interconnect with an electric utility shall benefit from a streamlined application process, may utilize a model interconnection agreement, and can qualify under a model ordinance.
b. A political subdivision seeking to be designated a small wind innovation zone shall apply to the division upon a form developed by the division. The division shall approve an application which documents that the applicable local government has adopted the model ordinance or is in the process of amending an existing zoning ordinance to comply with the model ordinance and that an electric utility operating within the political subdivision has agreed to utilize the model interconnection agreement to contract with the small wind energy system owners who agree to its terms.
3. Model ordinance. The Iowa league of cities, the Iowa association of counties, the Iowa environmental council, the Iowa wind energy association, and representatives from the utility industry shall consult and develop a model ordinance to be offered on both the Iowa league of cities’ and the Iowa association of counties’ internet sites and made available for use by a local government which constitutes or encompasses a political subdivision that is applying for designation as a small wind innovation zone. A local government adopting the model ordinance shall establish an expedited approval process with regard to small wind energy systems in compliance with the ordinance in order to qualify as a small wind innovation zone.
4. Model interconnection agreement. The utilities board shall develop a model interconnection agreement by June 1, 2010, for utilization within a small wind innovation zone by the owner of a small wind energy system seeking to interconnect with an electric utility. The interconnection agreement shall ensure that the energy produced can be safely interconnected with the utility without causing any adverse or unsafe consequences and is consistent with the electric utility’s resource needs. The board shall establish by rule procedures for modification of the model interconnection agreement upon mutually agreeable terms and conditions in unique or unusual circumstances, subject to board approval. Electric utilities shall consider adopting the model interconnection agreement.
5. Tax credit incentives. The owner of a small wind energy system operating within a small wind innovation zone shall qualify for the renewable energy tax credit pursuant to chapter 476C.
6. Reporting requirements. The division shall prepare a report summarizing the number of applications received from political subdivisions seeking to be designated a small wind innovation zone, the number of applications granted, the number of small wind energy systems generating electricity within each small wind innovation zone, and the amount of wind energy produced, and shall submit the report to the members of the general assembly by January 1 annually.
2009 Acts, ch 148, §1, 2

Structure Iowa Code

Iowa Code

Title XI - NATURAL RESOURCES

Chapter 476 - PUBLIC UTILITY REGULATION

Section 476.1 - Applicability of authority.

Section 476.1A - Applicability of authority — certain electric utilities.

Section 476.1B - Applicability of authority — municipally owned utilities.

Section 476.1C - Applicability of authority — certain gas utilities.

Section 476.1D - Regulation and deregulation of communications services.

Section 476.2 - Board powers and rules — utility’s Iowa office.

Section 476.3 - Complaints — investigation — refunds.

Section 476.4 - Tariffs filed.

Section 476.4A - Exemption from tariff filings for telephone utilities.

Section 476.5 - Adherence to schedules.

Section 476.6 - Changes in rates, charges, schedules, and regulations — supply and cost review — water costs for fire protection — energy efficiency.

Section 476.6A - Alternate energy production facilities — notification requirements.

Section 476.7 - Application by utility for review.

Section 476.8 - Utility charges and service.

Section 476.9 - Accounts rendered to board.

Section 476.10 - Investigations — expense — appropriation.

Section 476.10A - Funding for Iowa energy center and center for global and regional environmental research.

Section 476.10B - Energy-efficient building.

Section 476.11 - Telephone toll connections.

Section 476.12 - Rehearings before board.

Section 476.13 - Judicial review.

Section 476.14 - Violations stopped.

Section 476.15 - Extent of jurisdiction.

Section 476.16 - Annual report.

Section 476.17 - Peak-load energy conservation.

Section 476.18 - Impermissible charges.

Section 476.19 - Construction of statutes.

Section 476.20 - Disconnection limited — notice — moratorium — deposits.

Section 476.21 - Discrimination prohibited.

Section 476.22 - Definition.

Section 476.23 - Electric service conflicts — certificates of authority.

Section 476.24 - Electric utility service area maps.

Section 476.25 - Assigned service areas — electric utilities — legislative policy.

Section 476.26 - Effect of incorporation, annexation, or consolidation.

Section 476.27 - Public utility crossing — railroad rights-of-way.

Section 476.29 - Certificates for providing local telecommunications services.

Section 476.31 - Continuing audit of operation.

Section 476.32 - Review of annual reports.

Section 476.33 - Rules governing hearings.

Section 476.41 - Purpose.

Section 476.42 - Definitions.

Section 476.43 - Rates for alternate energy production facilities.

Section 476.44 - Exceptions.

Section 476.44A - Trading of credits.

Section 476.45 - Exemption from excess capacity.

Section 476.46 - Alternate energy revolving loan program.

Section 476.46A - Energy infrastructure revolving loan program.

Section 476.47 - Alternate energy purchase programs.

Section 476.48 - Small wind innovation zone program.

Section 476.49 - Billing methods for distributed generation customers.

Section 476.51 - Civil penalty.

Section 476.52 - Management efficiency.

Section 476.53 - Electric generating and transmission facilities.

Section 476.53A - Renewable electric power generation.

Section 476.54 - Delayed payment charges.

Section 476.55 - Complaint of antitrust activities.

Section 476.56 - Energy costs provided.

Section 476.57 - Limitations on use of ADAD equipment — penalty.

Section 476.58 - Safety of distributed generation facilities — disconnection device required — rules.

Section 476.62 - Energy-efficient lighting required.

Section 476.63 - Energy efficiency programs.

Section 476.65 - Energy audits.

Section 476.66 - Customer contribution fund.

Section 476.71 - Purpose.

Section 476.72 - Definitions.

Section 476.73 - Affiliate records.

Section 476.74 - Affiliate information required to be filed.

Section 476.75 - Audits required.

Section 476.76 - Reorganization defined.

Section 476.77 - Time and standards for review.

Section 476.78 - Cross-subsidization prohibited.

Section 476.79 - Provision of nonutility service.

Section 476.80 - Additional requirements.

Section 476.81 - Audit required.

Section 476.82 - Exemption — energy efficiency.

Section 476.83 - Complaints.

Section 476.84 - Water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities — acquisitions — advance ratemaking.

Section 476.86 - Definitions.

Section 476.87 - Certification of competitive natural gas providers.

Section 476.91 - Alternative operator services.

Section 476.95 - Internet protocol-enabled service and voice over internet protocol service — regulation.

Section 476.95A - Annual registration for telecommunications service providers.

Section 476.95B - Applicability of authority.

Section 476.96 - Definitions.

Section 476.97 - Price regulation.

Section 476.98 - Earnings calculation and report.

Section 476.99 - Additional price regulation plan provisions.

Section 476.100 - Prohibited acts.

Section 476.101 - Local exchange competition.

Section 476.102 - Universal service.

Section 476.103 - Unauthorized change in service — civil penalty.

Section 476.104 - Severability.