MidAmerican Energy will be hosting a public informational meeting at 12:30 p.m. on December 9 at the Hills Community Center (110 Main St, Hills, IA) regarding a proposed natural gas pipeline extension in Southwestern Johnson County that extends almost directly north for approximately 7.3 miles from an existing substation located 3746 560th Street SW in rural Johnson County to property located in the north half of Section 29, Township 79 North, Range 6 West in rural Johnson County (just south of Hwy. #1 SW). An alternate meeting date of December 11 has also been established for the same time and location.
From MidAmerican: In the event of inclement weather on the date of this informational meeting, the alternate date and time will be December 11, 2025, at the same time and location.
As a landowner or a party residing on, property affected by the location and construction of said natural gas pipeline, you have the right to be present at the public informational meeting mentioned above.
You also have the right to file objections to the location and construction of the proposed natural gas pipeline as described with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC), 1375 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0069.
A representative of the IUC will preside over the informational meeting and present a summary of the legal rights of the affected landowners. Qualified representatives of MidAmerican will also be at the meeting to discuss the project and answer your questions.
Persons with disabilities requiring assistive services or devices to observe or participate should contact the IUC at (515) 725-7300 in advance of the scheduled date to request that appropriate arrangements be made.
Following the meeting, right-of-way personnel from the Company or its agent will begin contacting landowners to purchase voluntary easements. Later, the Company will file a petition for a franchise with the IUC for permission to build the natural gas pipeline and, if necessary, will request the right of eminent domain (condemnation) on property where voluntary easements have not been obtained. The IUC decides whether to approve or deny the franchise and, in accordance with IUC rules, may make that decision through a hearing process. The IUC's decision is based on the record created at that hearing.
Before granting the permit, the IUC shall make a finding that the proposed natural gas pipeline will promote the public convenience and necessity. The IUC may appoint an administrative law judge to preside over the proceeding and issue a proposed decision. A proposed decision will become the final decision of the IUC unless it is appealed to the IUC by a party to the proceeding within the time specified in the proposed decision. When the IUC has decided the case, either initially or on appeal from a proposed decision, any party to the proceeding may file for rehearing within 20 days. Once a final decision has been made, any party may appeal to the state district court within 30 days.
The IUC must approve any request to obtain property through eminent domain (condemnation). This request will be considered in an open and public process. If the IUC grants the right of condemnation, the Company will petition the chief judge of the judicial district for the county involved to appoint a compensation commission. The compensation commission sets the compensation amount. The Company posts the amount of the award with the Sheriff to be claimed by the landowner. The Company may then proceed with the work. The landowner or the Company may appeal the amount determined by the compensation commission to the courts.