Keokuk Continues Fight Against Utility Rate Increase

Over a month has passed since the Liberty Utilities rate case was heard by the Iowa Utilities board at the Grand Theater and Keokuk customers are still unsure of how their rates will be affected. It was revealed at the meeting that the city had struck a deal with Liberty Utilities at the behest of the Officer of the Consumer Advocate but details of the settlement have not been released. What’s holding up the decision now is that Liberty Utilities is pushing to pass the cost of the rate case itself onto its customers. City Administrator Aaron Burnett went on to explain that Liberty Utilities is pushing an overbearing cost onto its Keokuk customers. The issue becomes more daunting when considering that during the proceedings, Liberty Utilities stated that it is possible that they may be back within the next 5 years to raise rates yet again. The Iowa Utilities Board has stated that it expects to make a ruling before May 25th on the rate case expenses that customers will incur.