Commission debates 25 MW and 75,000 gpd thresholds for review of infrastructure‑intensive projects

Staff presented proposed numeric triggers for the new "infrastructure‑intensive" category: simultaneous electrical demand above 25 megawatts and non‑domestic water usage above 75,000 gallons per day. "I currently have it electrical demand exceeding 25 megawatts," the staff member said, noting the 25‑MW figure was derived from Alliant Energy's definition of a large‑load customer. The staff member added that the 75,000‑gpd water threshold came from Marshalltown Waterworks as the point that would warrant higher public review.

Commissioners pressed for local examples and data before locking thresholds. One commissioner said the numeric terms "don't mean anything to me" without examples and asked staff to request electrical‑usage benchmarks from Alliant Energy; another noted water is more defensible because the Waterworks is a municipal utility. Staff agreed to request and return with local usage examples and to clarify whether thresholds should be adjusted based on local capacity.