Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in response to DOJ, says her energy policy aligns with Trump’s

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in a letter to the federal justice department Wednesday, assured the administration that she shares President Donald Trump’s goals for energy production. Reynolds wrote the letter in response to a letter from the U.

S. Department of Justice that expressed concern with a right of first refusal provision in Reynolds’ proposed state energy policy legislation. The DOJ letter, written by Assistant U.



S. Attorney General Abigail Slater, a Trump appointee, in response to questions from a pair of Republican Iowa legislators, warned that the right of first refusal provision could stifle competition and potentially raise prices and lower the quality of service for Iowa electricity customers. Under a right of first refusal law, utility companies that already have facilities and transmission lines in Iowa would have the right to construct expansion projects for electricity infrastructure.

The six-page DOJ letter cited two examples in which Slater said the absence of right of first refusal policies led to lower project costs. Slater’s letter also referenced a federal court ruling regarding a right of first refusal law in Texas. Reynolds’ two-page response laid out what she called “factual context” for the three projects in Slater’s letter.

Reynolds said one project encountered delays and then electrical line failure, while another went over budget and resulted in higher costs to consumers. And she said her right of first refusal language is similar to a Minnesota law, which she said was upheld by the same federal appeals court that covers Iowa. In her letter, Reynolds touted Iowa’s energy production, including through renewable sources, and said her legislative proposal is designed to build on that foundation and help the state remain adaptable in the future.

And she attempted to assure the justice department that her energy policy aligns with Trump’s. “As governor, I am committed to advancing a forward-thinking, all-encompassing energy strategy that ensures affordable energy for consumers and sets the stage for future economic growth,” Reynolds wrote. “I fully support the president’s goal of ensuring a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply,” Reynolds added.

“(Trump’s) executive order also emphasizes the timely delivery of energy infrastructure. In Iowa, implementing (right of first refusal) is the most effective way to ensure that federally registered transmission line projects are built efficiently and reliably.” Reynolds’ proposed energy legislation appears in the form of twin bills, one each in the Iowa Senate and House.

Senate File 585 and House File 834 were each approved by the committees on commerce in their respective chambers. Another legislative hearing was held Monday on the Senate bill in that chamber’s budget committee. One of the bills still must be approved by the full Iowa House and Senate before it could be sent to Reynolds for her approval.

The White House says President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed on an immediate ceasefire for energy and infrastructure targets in the Russia-Ukraine war. January is passing quickly, and as the new year gets underway, many households are taking stock of their budgets. If you're starting the year slowly or haven't tackled your financial goals yet, that's okay—there's still plenty of time to plan ahead.

Power bills are likely high on the list of concerns—especially after the fluctuating costs of recent years. But understanding your power bill doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Arbor breaks it down: what your bill is telling you, what electricity costs today, and how to take control of your energy spending in 2025.

Your power bill can feel like a maze of numbers and charges, but it's simpler than it looks once you know what to focus on. The two main components are: There can be other charges on your bill, but these two make up the majority of your total costs. To get a clear picture of your energy spending, start by checking your supply rate and usage.

Multiply your supply rate by your total usage to understand what you're paying to generate the electricity itself. As of this month, here's a snapshot of utility supply rates across several states. These rates are effective now, with some set to expire in the coming months and others locked in through spring or summer 2025.

It's critical to pay attention to expiration dates, as rates may change soon for some utilities. By keeping track of these rates and expiration timelines, you can better plan for your power costs and even take proactive steps to find lower, fixed rates. If you live in one of these deregulated energy markets where there are third-party rates available, you may have access to a rate that is lower than what your utility is offering now.

Maryland Massachusetts New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania Saving on your power bill doesn't have to mean big sacrifices. Here are a few straightforward steps you can take: Decoding your power bill is the first step toward saving money and taking control of your energy use in 2025. By understanding what you're paying for, you can take steps to plan for and even lower monthly costs.

This stor y was produced by Arbor and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter..