Resource Hub
Iowa
A more reliable grid. New jobs. Affordable power. Transmission makes it possible.
Every day, millions of people in Iowa rely on the energy grid to power our modern way of life. Thanks to a network of transmission lines that carry energy from where it’s generated to where it’s used, we’re able to heat and cool our homes, keep the lights on at our businesses, get online for work and school, and even charge our vehicles. We rarely think twice about it — until the power goes out. Unfortunately, many lines are older than their intended 50-year lifespan, and Iowa’s primary grid operator is concerned about aging infrastructure.
Transmission Means Affordability.
Electricity savings for homes and businesses
By introducing more room for low-cost electrons to flow onto the regional grid via new transmission, Iowa residents would see energy cost savings. Expanding interregional transmission infrastructure could net $740 million in transmission cost savings annually for customers in MISO, the grid operator that covers most of Iowa. According to the same study, high-capacity transmission investments can create $92 in savings annually for an average American household.
Transmission Means Reliability.
Keeping the power on when extreme weather strikes
Iowa can experience severe weather, with heavy winter storms and soaring heat waves like the one this summer.3 A reliable energy grid will be a critical lifeline to keep the lights on and keep us comfortable. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather, transmission infrastructure can help ensure energy reliability it makes it easier for utilities to access electricity when parts of the system are stressed or go dark.
Transmission Means Jobs.
Thousands of living-wage, modern energy jobs
In 2023, the Department of Energy determined the U.S. needs a 128% expansion of our transmission systems by 2035 to meet high electricity demand growth scenarios.5 In 2024, over 8,000 Iowans were already working on building transmission and distribution infrastructure.6 This number will grow with additional investment.
For more information, contact Doug Pietrucha at dpietrucha@advancedenergyunited.org.
A more reliable grid. New jobs. Affordable power.
Transmission makes it possible.