MidAmerican seeks IUC approval for gas delivery rate hike; Des Moines Sept. 9

MidAmerican Energy has filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) seeking approval to increase natural gas rates on the delivery portion of customers’ bills. If approved as submitted, the IUC says the average residential bill would rise by about 5% (about $2.89 per month).

As part of the process, the IUC scheduled a Des Moines consumer comment meeting so customers and other interested residents can weigh in before the commission decides whether to approve, deny, or modify the request.

What MidAmerican is asking the IUC to approve

In its filing, MidAmerican is asking to update the delivery portion of natural gas rates. Both the company and the IUC describe this as separate from the cost of gas itself.

According to the IUC, the average impact on residential customers would be about a 5% increase—roughly $2.89 per month—if the proposal is approved as filed.

Interim delivery rates start July 17

Even though the IUC’s final decision isn’t yet in hand, MidAmerican plans to implement interim delivery rates effective July 17. The IUC also says that if the final rate increase is lower than the interim rates, customers would be entitled to a refund with interest.

Des Moines consumer comment meeting: Sept. 9

The IUC’s consumer comment meeting for this case is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport Conference Center, 6111 Fleur Drive.

The commission also set additional consumer comment meetings, including Cedar Rapids on Sept. 8, Sioux City on Sept. 10, and a virtual session at noon on Sept. 9.

How to submit written comments or objections

Residents can submit written comments or objections to the IUC, and the IUC says those submissions become part of the permanent record in the rate case docket. The IUC says submissions may be made:

• by email
• online through the IUC’s EFS system
• by mail

For this case, the docket number is Iowa Utilities Commission docket No. RPU-2026-0001.

What happens next

After the comment period, the IUC reviews the application and the record developed through the process. The IUC says a procedural schedule for the rate proceeding will be determined later, including when evidence will be presented and when witnesses may be cross-examined.

For Des Moines-area natural gas customers served by MidAmerican, this is one of the clearest near-term opportunities to shape the public conversation about how a delivery-rate change could affect monthly bills.

Sources

• Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) — News release (July 8, 2026)
• MidAmerican Energy — Press release on proposed Iowa natural gas rate adjustment (July 7, 2026)
• KSCJ 1360 — Local radio write-up of MidAmerican’s proposed delivery rate increase (July 7, 2026)