Nonstandard meter alternative (Iowa)
Information for our Iowa residential customers regarding their nonstandard meter alternatives.
This section is for our residential customers who do not have a Distributed Generation (DG) system.
Residential electric customers have three nonstandard meter options:
- A smart meter set in Opt-out Mode. This will send one meter reading per month to ensure accurate billing. Monthly fee: none.
- A non-transmitting digital meter. Monthly fee: $4.06.
- Customers who selected a non-transmitting meter may keep their current analog meter. Monthly fee $4.06. Once it fails or falls into a failed lot of meters, we will install a non-transmitting digital meter that is not a smart meter.
If you choose a non-transmitting digital meter or keep an existing analog meter, you will receive two meter readings per year and estimated bills the other 10 months of the year.
Residential gas customers have one nonstandard meter option:
You can choose a gas meter without a smart module. You will receive two meter readings per year and estimated bills the other 10 months of the year. Monthly fee: $2.80.
To be eligible, you must be a residential electric or residential natural gas customer who has only one electric meter and/or one natural gas meter. You must not be enrolled in any of the following electric pricing programs:
- Time of Day
- Net Metering Pilot – Renewable Energy Facilities
- Cogeneration
- Small Power Production
- Alternative Energy
- Small Hydro Production
The customer of record who is responsible for payment at the home or premises where the meter is located must request the nonstandard meter.
Residential customers who request not to have a smart meter will receive a letter in the mail describing the available options.
If you were instructed to email us, email nsma@alliantenergy.com.
If you were instructed to call us, call 1-877-725-6611 (7 am - 4 pm, Monday – Friday) to submit your selection.
If you are a solar customer, call 1-800-972-5325 (8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday) to submit your selection.
See the instructions for filling out the form at the top of this page.
Information about Advanced Meter Infrastructure Community Opt-Out (AMICOO)
First, complete the application form..pdf
Once completed, you’ll return the form and any required documents to the email address referenced in the form instructions.
For other inquiries or questions please call 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).
Information for DG customers
As a Residential Interconnection Customer under the Net Metering Pilot rate or your current rate, you may choose from the following options for a nonstandard meter alternative:
A. A smart meter and your DG facility are connected to our distribution system. You maintain service under the Net Metering Pilot rate or your current rate, with no other changes.
B. A smart meter and your DG facility are connected to our distribution system. You maintain service under the Net Metering Pilot rate or your current rate. The smart meter is relocated to another suitable location on the premise at your expense.
C. A nonstandard meter is installed. You apply for a Level 3 (non-exporting) interconnection request and your DG facility is temporarily disconnected on or before October 30, 2020. The DG facility will remain disconnected from our distribution system until the Level 3 interconnect request and executed Certificate of Completion are completed. We are waiving the fee to file the Level 3 application. Witness test fees still apply. Option C results in a rate change to the standard Electric Residential Service rate.
D. A nonstandard meter is installed. Your DG facility is disconnected from our distribution system and you elect to terminate or suspend the accompanying Interconnection Agreement. Option D results in a rate change to the standard Electric Residential Service rate. A suspended Interconnection Agreement will be by a Suspension Agreement and is available upon request. Please call the Renewable Energy Hotline at 1-800-972-5325 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday) for more information.
Customers cannot keep their current net metering digital meter. There are two options:
- An ITRON Centron C1-S digital non-AMI meter. The meter is read twice a year and estimated for the other 10 months. The monthly fee is $4.06.
- A smart meter in opt-out mode: An electric smart meter in opt-out mode is read remotely by the AMI system once per month. There is no fee.
Please email your name, account number(s) and the option you select to sellmypower@alliantenergy.com no later than Oct. 30, 2020.
The Renewable Energy team is available to discuss these options at 1-800-972-5325 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday) or by email at sellmypower@alliantenergy.com.
Customers cannot keep their current net metering digital meter. There are two options:
A digital non-AMI meter: The meter is read twice a year and estimated for the other 10 months. The monthly fee is $4.06.
A smart meter in opt-out mode: An electric smart meter in opt-out mode is read remotely once per month and there is no fee.
A Level 3 is a non-exporting interconnection, allowing the Distributed Generation Facility to operate in parallel with Alliant Energy, but not allowing excess power to pass to the local distribution system.
Per Iowa Administrative Code 199 Chapter 45.7(3), “[t]he distributed generation facility will use reverse power relays or other protection functions that prevent the export of power into the area network….” Installation of such relays is at the cost of the DG facility owner.
If you wish to remain interconnected to our distribution system, Option C provides the appropriate option.
Per Iowa Administrative Code 199 Chapter 45.7(3), you will need to install reverse power relays or other protection functions to prevent backflow to the local distribution system. Such installation will be at your cost. Talk with your local solar PV installer for options.
You can submit this information through our online application, or mail your Level 3 application to:
Alliant Energy Renewable Hotline
GO-17
P.O. Box 351
Cedar Rapids IA 52406-0351
We are waiving the fee to file the Level 3 application. Witness test fees still apply.
Yes. A smart meter is required for inflow/outflow DG billing.
More information about this tariff can be found here.