Des Moines, IA — Iowa lawmakers today introduced the Local Generation Act (HSB 629/SSB 3092), legislation designed to give families, farmers, and small businesses access to locally controlled community energy projects that can help lower electricity bills, strengthen grid reliability, and keep energy investment rooted in Iowa communities.
The legislation comes as Iowans across party lines express growing concern about rising utility costs and strong support for locally controlled energy solutions. A January 2026 statewide survey of registered Iowa voters found that:
- 69 percent support allowing locally controlled, small-scale community energy projects, including strong backing from Republicans and independents;
- Only 7 percent oppose such policies;
- 69 percent say lawmakers need to do more to address rising utility bills; and
- 62 percent say they would be more likely to support a legislator who votes yes on a community energy bill.
Voters cited lower electricity bills, economic growth in rural areas, and expanded options for farmers and landowners as the top reasons for support.
“When energy dollars stay local, everybody benefits — landowners, schools, and counties. The Local Generation Act helps us pay our bills and keep our land, while also strengthening the community we live in. That’s a win-win.” said Angie Mohs, a land owner from Clayton County, Iowa.
The Local Generation Act would allow locally controlled, small-scale community energy projects to serve households and businesses that cannot install rooftop systems, while preserving existing utility service territories and respecting local land-use decisions. Projects under the bill are designed to be community-scale, market-driven, and focused on delivering measurable bill savings to subscribers.
“Iowa has an opportunity to join 21 other states with a practical, local, and fiscally responsible policy,” said Jason Holsman, Director of Government Affairs for the Coalition for Community Solar Access. “The Local Generation Act responds directly to what Iowans want—lower bills, more local control, and an energy solution that helps farmers, small businesses, and the hard-working ratepayers of this great state.”
Importantly, the legislation explicitly preserves existing exclusive service areas for rural electric cooperatives and ensures that only projects authorized by the cooperatives can operate in cooperative territory.
The Local Generation Act also addresses Iowa’s broader energy challenges. As electricity demand continues to grow and energy prices rise, locally sited projects can be built and energized faster, providing new income opportunities for landowners—without requiring state subsidies or mandates.
“This is about choice. The Local Generation Act gives landowners another voluntary option to make their land financially viable without selling or subdividing it. That kind of flexibility is critical for families trying to pass farms down to the next generation,” said David Weaver, a land owner from Boone County, Iowa.
Supporters say the legislation also reflects a clear political opportunity. More than 77 percent of Iowa voters support a broad energy strategy that includes local generation as part of the solution to lower electricity bills.
The Local Generation Act is expected to be heard in energy subcommittees in the coming days.
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About CCSA
CCSA is a national trade association representing over 125 community solar developers, businesses, and nonprofits. Together, we are building the electric grid of the future where every customer has the freedom to support the generation of clean, local solar energy to power their lives. Through legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the support of a diverse coalition — including advocates for competition, clean energy, ratepayers, landowners, farmers, and environmental justice — we enable policies that unlock the potential of distributed energy resources, starting with community solar. For more information, visit https://www.communitysolaraccess.org and follow the group on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Youtube.