A proposed expansion to the Manning Municipal Utilities natural gas pipeline is inching closer to completion, but has been held up by some permitting issues from the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). City Administrator, Dawn Meyer, says they have been working towards the construction of 24 miles of pipeline for nearly a decade, and when finished, it will allow the utility to expand their offerings to customers.
On June 19, the IUB held a public hearing on the project, and city officials are hoping to hear back on the board’s decision in the near future. Earlier in June, Meyer traveled to our nation’s capital as part of the Carroll Area Development Corporation’s (CADC) annual Access Washington trip, which brings local issues to the region’s federal representatives. She says they were not able to assist in moving the permitting process along, but they may be able to help in other ways.
Meyer says they are optimistic the IUB will approve their permit request, and the expansion can finally be completed. She adds that it is nice to know the elected officials have pledged their support, and that was made possible through Access Washington.
There is currently no estimated completion date at this time. However, Meyer says they will be actively working to finish the expansion as soon as possible, due in large part to the increased demand from their extended client base.
