Trystan Casey
Story City, Iowa, has been served by a number of electric companies over the years. The Story City Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) was established in 1904 when the city leased a power plant. In 1909, the city purchased the power plant for $8,200. Over the years, the city expanded its generation capacity by adding larger generators to meet the growing demands of the community. In 1919, a new building was constructed, allowing for the delivery of coal by railroad. In 1931, the plant installed its first diesel-powered engine. In 1948, the City Council found it challenging to manage both the power plant and the city's needs effectively, leading to negotiations with Iowa Electric Light and Power (now RPGI). Today, Story City is part of the Resale Power Group of the Iowa Power Grid, which serves cities across Iowa. Additionally, companies like MidAmerican Energy and Tri-City Electric Co. provide electric services to customers in Iowa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Story City Municipal Electric Utility |
| Year of Establishment | 1904 |
| Location | Southeast corner of Broad and Hillcrest |
| Parent Company | Resale Power Group of Iowa Power Grid |
| Service Area | Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota |
| Number of Electric Customers | 820,000 |
| Number of Natural Gas Customers | 797,000 |
| Services | Electrical construction, engineering, integration, residential services, and structured cabling |
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What You'll Learn
Story City Municipal Electric Utility
In 1909, the city purchased the power plant for $8,200 with a citizen vote of 96-16. Over the next few years, the city expanded the plant's generation capacity to meet the growing demands of its customers. In 1911, a 75-horsepower steam engine with a 50kW generator was added, followed by a 150-horsepower steam engine with a 100kW generator in 1913.
However, by 1917, it became apparent that the plant would need to be expanded again to meet customer needs. The site was too small for further expansion, so the council began looking for a new location. A new building was constructed in 1919, which allowed for the delivery of coal via railroad and provided space for future expansions. The largest generator was moved from the old plant to the new one, and a 360-horsepower, 240kW generator was installed.
In the following decades, SCMEU continued to upgrade its generators to keep up with the city's growing demands. In 1931, the company installed its first diesel-powered engine, a 450-horsepower generator with a 303kW capacity. The last two steam engines were replaced in 1940 with a 225-horsepower, 148kW diesel generator. To accommodate the increasing demand, an addition was made to the north side of the plant in 1947 to house a new 805-horsepower, 556Kw generator.
In 1948, the City Council found itself unable to efficiently manage both the power plant and the city's growing needs. On June 1, 1948, the City Council passed ordinance #233, creating the Board of Trustees to oversee the utility's operations. The original board members were Russel Leonard, Carl Baldus, and Elmer Jensen, who dedicated themselves to establishing the policies and regulations that still govern the utility today.
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Iowa Electric Light and Power (now RPGI)
Story City, Iowa, is served by Story City Municipal Electric Utility, also known as SCMEU or Story City Electric. The utility was established in 1904 when the city leased and operated a power plant. Over the years, the city expanded its generation capacity by adding new engines and generators to meet the growing demands of the community.
In 1948, the City Council created a Board of Trustees to manage the power plant, recognising the need for efficient management and disaster preparedness. This led to negotiations with Iowa Electric Light and Power, now known as RPGI (Resale Power Group of Iowa), to secure a secondary source of power.
Iowa Electric Light and Power (IE), now RPGI, played a significant role in Story City's energy supply. In 1959, the construction of a substation allowed Story City to purchase electricity from IE. During the energy crisis in 1976, soaring fuel prices made it more cost-effective for SCMEU to purchase electricity from IE rather than produce it themselves. As a result, the power plant was shut down, only operating during emergencies and peak-demand times.
Today, Story City remains part of the Resale Power Group of Iowa Power Grid, which serves cities across the state. RPGI negotiates power prices, utilises generation capacity, and ensures reliability during emergencies and periods of extreme wholesale prices. It also buys energy to meet the needs of all its members.
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MidAmerican Energy Company
The MidAmerican Energy Company is a rate-regulated utility company that provides energy to Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the company serves almost two-thirds of Iowa, including major cities such as Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Council Bluffs, and Waterloo.
MidAmerican Energy formed in 1995 through the merger of the Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company and Midwest Resources. The former was the main electric and gas provider for southeastern Iowa, while the latter was the main power provider for central and western Iowa. As of 2024, the company operates nearly 3,500 turbines across Iowa, serving over 2.4 million Iowa households with clean, renewable energy. The company also serves 820,000 electric customers and 797,000 natural gas customers across its service area.
MidAmerican Energy owns and operates five coal plants in Iowa, which produce around one-third of the state's industrial CO2 emissions. The company has faced criticism for the health and environmental impacts of these plants, with data showing that they have contributed to thousands of premature deaths in the U.S. due to particulate matter pollution. However, MidAmerican Energy has also invested significantly in renewable energy projects, with nearly 30% of its owned generation capacity coming from wind power as of March 2014. The company has expressed a commitment to further expanding its wind generation fleet, with plans to invest $1.9 billion to add up to 1,050 megawatts of wind generation in Iowa by the end of 2015.
In addition to its focus on renewable energy, MidAmerican Energy prioritizes the safety and reliability of its energy infrastructure. The company offers a free HomeCheck® Online assessment to help customers understand their energy usage and receive personalized tips to reduce their bills. Through initiatives like Safety Through Asset Reliability (STAR), MidAmerican Energy aims to provide safe and reliable service to its customers every day.
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Tri-City Electric Company
Tri-City Electric Co. is one of the oldest and largest electrical contractors in the country serving customers in 43 states, two US territories, and six countries. The company was established in 1895 and is headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with an additional office in Des Moines, Iowa. Tri-City Electric Co. has a team of nearly 1,500 employees, including management staff and field personnel, and offers a broad range of electrical services.
Tri-City Electric Co. provides residential, commercial, and industrial electrical construction services, as well as renewable energy solutions, power testing, and preventative maintenance. They also specialize in engineering and integration, low voltage structured cabling, security systems, audio/visual technology, telecommunications, IT solutions, and drone services. The company is committed to safety and has the experience and in-depth knowledge to handle any electrical project, big or small.
In addition to their electrical expertise, Tri-City Electric Co. actively supports skilled trades programs and apprenticeships, offering electrical training opportunities for students like Drake, a senior at Southeast Polk High School. The company also recognizes the growing roles of women in the construction industry and celebrates their hard work during Women in Construction Week.
While Tri-City Electric Co. serves a large geographical area, it is important to note that Story City, Iowa, has its own municipal electric utility, known as the Story City Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU). SCMEU was established in 1904 when the city leased and operated a power plant located at the southeast corner of Broad and Hillcrest. Over the years, the city expanded its generation capacity to meet the growing demands of the community. Today, SCMEU is part of the Resale Power Group of the Iowa Power Grid, which serves cities across the entire state.
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Energy shortage and fuel prices
The Story City Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) has been serving Story City, Iowa, since 1904. The utility is governed by policies and regulations established by a Board of Trustees, which was created by the City Council in 1948. Over the years, the city has expanded its generation capacity to meet the growing demands of the community. Initially, the power plant ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, concerns arose about the potential for disasters, such as tornadoes, to disrupt the plant's operations and the city's electricity supply.
In the context of energy shortages and fuel prices, it is worth noting that Story City, Iowa, like many other communities, has faced challenges in ensuring a stable and affordable energy supply. The history of the SCMEU illustrates how external factors, such as fuel prices and energy crises, can significantly impact a community's energy landscape. For example, in 1976, during an energy crisis that affected the entire country, fuel prices in Story City soared. This led to the power plant being shut down, and the city found it more economical to purchase electricity from external sources, such as Iowa Electric Light and Power (now RPGI).
Energy shortages and fuel prices are interconnected issues that have significant implications for communities, industries, and governments worldwide. Energy shortages occur when there is an insufficient supply of energy to meet demand, often leading to increased fuel prices. Several factors can contribute to energy shortages, including disruptions to global energy markets, regional conflicts, and environmental policies. For instance, the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the subsequent disruption to global energy markets have highlighted the vulnerability of energy supplies to geopolitical tensions.
Additionally, the transition from conventional energy sources, such as oil, gas, and coal, to renewable alternatives like wind, solar, and biofuels, is a complex and costly endeavour. While concerns about climate change have heightened the urgency of this transition, the reality is that it will unfold unevenly across different regions, with varying fuel mixes and technological advancements. Moreover, the transition is expected to incur significant costs, with uncertainty regarding who will bear the financial burden.
The declaration of a "national energy emergency" by President Trump in 2025 underscores the critical nature of energy shortages and fuel prices. This unprecedented move, coupled with his focus on supporting the domestic production of fossil fuels, reflects a prioritisation of energy security and affordability. However, analysts have questioned the feasibility of Trump's promise to lower energy prices by 50%, given the complex dynamics of the global energy market.
In conclusion, the case of Story City, Iowa, exemplifies how energy shortages and fuel prices can shape a community's energy landscape. On a broader scale, the interconnected challenges of energy security, affordability, and sustainability confront policymakers, businesses, and communities worldwide. As global energy demands continue to evolve, addressing these challenges will require innovative solutions, strategic investments, and a balanced approach that considers economic development, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
Story City Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) serves Story City, Iowa.
The Story City Municipal Electric Utility was established in 1904 when the city leased and operated a power plant.
In 1909, the power plant was purchased by the city for $8,200. As the energy demands of the city increased, more generators were added. In 1919, a new building was constructed, and the city installed a 360-horsepower, 240Kw generator. Over the years, the power plant transitioned from steam-powered to diesel-powered engines.
Due to fuel price increases and the energy crisis in 1976, SCMEU started purchasing electricity at a lower cost instead of producing it. The original power plant now operates during emergencies and peak-demand times. SCMEU is still part of the Resale Power Group of the Iowa Power Grid and can be called upon to provide additional generation for other cities.
Yes, MidAmerican Energy Company serves electric customers in Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota, and provides natural gas services in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Additionally, Tri-City Electric Company operates in Eastern Iowa as an electrical contractor offering construction, engineering, and residential services.
