This page details the status of existing court cases involving the Iowa Utilities Commission and provides recent court filings.
Updated June 11, 2025
LS Power Midcontinent and Southwest Transmission v. State of Iowa, Iowa Utilities Board, Erik Helland, et al.
Polk County District Court Case No. CVCV060840 / Appeal Case No. 21-0696
Subject: Challenge to adoption of Iowa Code § 478.16, granting right of first refusal to build transmission lines
Original Petition: Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief filed October 14, 2020. (Large file; for assistance, contact the IUC at 515-725-7300.)
Current Status: On May 30, 2025, the Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the District Court's injunction barring projects that rely upon the Right of Preemption (referred to as ROFR by the parties) from moving forward.
Recent Filings: Iowa Supreme Court Decision.
Enterprise Products Operating, LLC v. Iowa Utilities Board
Polk County District Court Case No. CVCV065780 / 24-1648
Subject: Judicial review of agency orders in Docket No. SPU-2023-0003 regarding agency's order assessing civil penalties for Enterprise’s failure to have required permits.
Original Petition: Petition for Judicial Review of Agency Action filed July 7, 2023.
Current Status: Appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court on October 11, 2024. Awaiting notice from the Court.
Jorde Landowners et al. v. Iowa Utilities Commission
Polk County District Court Case No. CVCV067849
Subject: Judicial review of agency order in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001
Original Petition: Petition for Judicial Review filed September 10, 2024.
Of note: Proceeding consolidated with five additional Polk County District Court Cases: Petitioners Allan Boeck et al., CVCV067869; Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, CVCV067871; Robert Soat et al., CVCV067873; Greg Kracht et al., CVCV067874; and Kerry Hirth et al., CVCV032240.
Current Status: IUC’s Proof Brief due July 2, 2025.
Recent Filings: Petitioner's Brief and Argument (Sierra Club); Brief; Petitioners' Proof Brief; List of Exhibit H Landowner Petitioners; Respondent's Motion for Ruling on Pre-Answer Motion to Dismiss; Order Denying Motion to Present Evidence.
Swan Lake Road Farms v. Iowa Utilities Commission and ITC Midwest LLC
Polk County District Court Case No. CVCV068000
Subject: Judicial review of agency order in Docket No. E-22501 granting electric transmission line franchise
Original Petition: Petition for Judicial Review filed October 10, 2024.
Current Status: Court-ordered stay at Swan Lake's request approved on May 19, 2025, meaning the project cannot move forward at this time. Awaiting the district court's ruling on the merits after argument on February 28, 2025.
Recent Filings: Petitioner's Notice of Trespass and Request for Supplemental Hearing; Respondent's Resistance to Notice and Request; Order for Stay; Petitioner's Notice of Additional Authority.
Note: Court cases that began prior to July 1, 2024, reference the Iowa Utilities Commission's prior name, Iowa Utilities Board, unless changed as part of the proceedings.