Certification requirements
The IUC certifies all competitive natural gas providers and aggregators (CNGPs), as defined in Iowa Code ยง 476.86, that provide natural gas services to customers in Iowa. CNGPs must receive a certificate from the IUC before providing competitive natural gas services to Iowa retail end users. Find certification rules at 199 Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 19.14.
Iowa Code ยง 476.86(2)(a) states a certificate is not required when competitive natural gas services are provided by a rate-regulated natural gas utility.
See currently certified providers, previously certified providers, and providers with canceled certificates. The list includes the rate-regulated natural gas utilities that provide unregulated competitive natural gas services.
How to Apply
Application forms are available for each service an applicant is seeking.
- Usage does not exceed 25,000 therms in any month, or
- 100,000 therms in any consecutive 12-month period.
- Usage exceeds 25,000 therms in any month, or
- 100,000 therms in any consecutive 12-month period.
Form for Vehicle Fuel Providers
- By law, a CNGP is one that owns or operates facilities to sell natural gas as vehicle fuel to a retail end user.
A handbook of requirements and procedures to use, distribute, and service compressed natural gas (CNG) in Iowa was created by four State of Iowa agencies. The IUC only provided the documents related to IUC requirements. Please direct questions about other requirements to the relevant agency.
Certification process
Applicants will be billed for actual time spent reviewing their application. Applications for certification must be filed in the electronic filing system (EFS).
During the certification proceeding and after certification, applicants and CNGPs are required to notify the IUC of any material change in the representations and commitments required for certification within 14 days of the change, including:
- CNGP name changes
- changes in CNGP business structure
- changes in CNGP ownership
- opening or closing of additional fueling stations (for vehicle fuel providers only)
The IUC will act on applications within 90 days unless the IUC determines that an additional 60 days is necessary. The 90-day period will begin when all required materials have been submitted. If the filing is deficient, applicants will be notified and given 30 days to remedy deficiencies.
Annual reports
Once a CNGP has been granted a certificate to provide natural gas services in Iowa, the CNGP is required to file an annual report by April 1 each year in IUB 24/7. The annual report must detail monthly sales volumes and revenues.
If you are a new company providing services in Iowa, create a new company profile in IUB 24/7. Once your company profile has been accepted, you will receive an IUC Company Number. Then you can submit your application in EFS.
If you have previously submitted an application for certification and you have not created a company profile in IUB 24/7, you will need to do so. For help in creating a company profile, call 877-565-4450 or email ITsupport@iuc.iowa.gov.
Learn more
For information regarding the CNGP process, submitting your company profile, or filing a CNGP annual report, call 515-725-7300 or email ITsupport@iuc.iowa.gov.