Iowa Utilities Board delivers payments, calls for transparency
The Iowa Utilities Board on Monday transferred money it had withheld for months from two universities centers that work on energy and climate change issues, The Associated Press reported. The payments to the Iowa Energy Center at Iowa State University and the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research at the University of Iowa involved $5.1 million in assessments the board collects and is legally required to pay to the centers. The payments usually are made in September. New board chairwoman Geri Huser demanded information on how the money is spent, bringing a sharply worded letter from Iowa State that contended that the board has no authority over the centers, which are run by the universities and the Iowa Board of Regents. The board has requested the leaders of both centers give presentations Dec. 15 regarding results and audits.