MidAmerican Energy Company

Here's How it Works
The Curtailment program is designed to help manage demand for electricity – June through September – when temperatures are highest. Typically, the curtailment periods will begin around 1 p.m. and last for approximately six hours. MidAmerican's key account managers contact participants to issue warnings of potential peak periods two to 12 hours before the actual events. During these periods, customers must reduce their use of electricity supplied by MidAmerican by at least 250 kW. This can be done by limiting air conditioning, reducing or shifting the operation of other equipment or by using auxiliary on-site electrical generation. This program is governed by Iowa electric tariff Riders 4 and CS.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can my business help save energy?
Save energy simply by reducing your electricity use by 250 kW or more at MidAmerican's request. Just use a standby generator, limit air conditioning use or reduce other equipment operation.

When will I be asked to curtail?

		Curtailment periods often begin around 1 p.m. and last a maximum of six hours – usually on hot summer days when temperatures reach the mid-90s or above.
		In most cases, MidAmerican will give you 12 hours notice to curtail, but there may be times when notice is as short as two hours.

How does the Curtailment program work?
MidAmerican will help you calculate an expected demand (the amount of electric demand you normally place on our system between 3 and 5 p.m.), a firm power level (the minimum, or base level of electric demand to which you agree to reduce your consumption), and your load available for curtailment.

Sample calculation:
1,000 kW Expected Demand (3 - 5 p.m.)
750 kW Firm Power Level
250 kW Curtailable Load

Customers wishing to participate on a year-to-year basis receive a curtailment credit of $40 per kW curtailed. Customers must reapply for this credit each year and are required to provide a communication line (telephone or Internet TCP/IP) for interval data transmission. All new program participants are restricted to a one-year contract. Three-year contracts are offered to participants who have demonstrated the ability and willingness to perform as required.

What happens if I can't comply when I'm asked to curtail?

		It is important that you comply with all mandatory curtailment requests. MidAmerican must maintain a reserve of electric capacity. By curtailing your electric use during periods of high energy consumption, you help us maintain this important reserve.
		If you fail to curtail when requested, MidAmerican may be required to purchase additional capacity to cover the shortfall. You may be asked to pay your proportionate share of this added expense. However, your share will never exceed your annual curtailment credit.
		If you fail to curtail to your contracted firm power level, the following year your firm power level may be set at an amount equal to the demand you actually experienced. This adjustment may reduce your curtailable load, and thus reduce your incentive as well.
		If you are unable to curtail due to a one-time failure of your standby generating equipment and notify us immediately, MidAmerican may waive any or all of the consequences noted above.

If you are notified to curtail and find you are unable to decrease your load to the firm power level, contact MidAmerican immediately.

How do I participate?

		Contact your key account manager to calculate your company's curtailable load. You also may contact MidAmerican at curtailment@midamerican.com or call 866-584-0871.
		Complete and return a Curtailment Program Application prior to May 31 of the contract year.
		New applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

May I cancel?
Customers may cancel with 24 hours notice, but must pay expenses assessed as a result of a previous failure to curtail that season, if any.

Any Questions?
Call our program manager at 866-584-0871 or e-mail curtailment@midamerican.com.