Protesters hold signs opposing Alliant Energy’s rate increases during a demonstration Saturday, March 16, 2019, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Holding signs reading “Don’t feed Alliant’s Greed” and “Family of 5 trying 2 survive,” several dozen people took to the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids to protest Alliant Energy’s rate increases.
A demonstrator holds a sign to call attention to the role of the Iowa Utilities Board in Alliant’s proposed rate hikes. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The company has filed applications proposing to increase retail electric and natural gas rates for customers in seven classes, including an increase of 24.45 percent to the base rate for residential electric customers and 25 percent to the base rate for residential gas customers beginning in 2020.
An interim electric rate increase of nearly $89.9 million among all classes – about 5.5 percent – will already begin April 1 of this year.
Alliant representatives have said residential bills will increase by about $8 monthly in 2019 and another $12 per month next year as part of a $1.8 billion project to build new wind farms in Iowa.
Organizer Steven Kenney Jr. said the protest, held in front of Alliant’s corporate offices at First Street and Third Avenue SE, was designed to increase awareness of the rate hikes.
Steven Kenney Jr., right, talks to other demonstrators in front of the Alliant building in downtown Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
“And to get these greedy corporate people to see we do have constitutional rights and we do have a voice,” Kenney said, adding that he was pleased with the turnout. “I’d be happy if it was one person or 1,000. Every voice counts.”
Motorists honked in support of the gathering, which lasted nearly two hours on a sunny, but chilly March day.
Alliant customers who object to the rate increase were directed to lodge a formal complaint with the Iowa Utilities Board.
Saturday’s protest – which stayed peaceful – was the first Kenney had organized.
“I hate public speaking,” he said, “but this is important.”
The Iowa Utilities Board must approve Alliant’s proposal and is hosting a series of meetings in coming weeks. Find the meeting schedule here.
See photos from the RISE for Climate Action and a vigil against gun violence and more from today’s demonstration, below:
I notice that the Alliant Energy monopoly is using a classic bait and switch tactic trying to blame rate increases on \”green energy\” when in fact they have massive profits showing 5 – 7% earnings growth per year while also increasing stock dividends by at least 6% each year. Alliant Energy annual revenue for 2018 was $3.535 Billion !!!! I completely support green energy and if Alliant wants to invest in green energy that is great they can do so out of their huge profits – they do not need to increase rates to do that. The rate increases are due to greed – nothing else – certainly not the fault of green energy which actually saves rate payers money.
This is important to know. Thank you for providing this information, Bert!