June 2008 Flood FAQ

Why is Alliant Energy being allowed access to the downtown area and facilities when other businesses are not?

To ensure the safety and reliability of our electric customers, Alliant Energy has received clearance after passing inspection from City officials, to enter the Alliant Energy building downtown and make preparations for a small number of employees to work out of the building. Vital communications systems that provide power to our customers is located at the facility. In order to keep the lights on for our customers and restore power to as many customers that are able to have their service restored, these communications systems are critical.
I was not impacted by the floodwaters. However, I do not have power, what is going on?

Alliant Energy is working to restore power to as many customers as possible in the flood damaged and outlying areas when it is deemed safe to do so. As a matter of safety it may not be possible to reconnect all customers in outlying areas at this time. It is critical that customers impacted by the flood damage have their electric service disconnected prior to entering their homes or businesses to not only ensure their safety, but also to enable the company to restore service safely to those customers in the outlying flood plain areas.
I heard that that the Alliant Energy building downtown is being demolished due to the extent of the flood damage. Is this true?

No. Alliant Energy is currently assessing the extent of the damage to our facilities, but there are no plans at this time to demolish the facility. Preliminary assessments indicate that preparations can begin to get employees back to work at the facility downtown. This involves only employees critical to the communications system that runs the power system in Iowa and Minnesota.
I don’t know if my service was disconnected prior to leaving my home before flooding began. What should I do?

Contact 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268) and a customer service representative will be able to provide you with additional information on the current status of your service. At that time, if you need to have service disconnected, Alliant Energy will do so at no charge.
I am behind on my payments; will I be able to get my service re-connected?

As long as you weren’t disconnected for non-payment prior to the flood, we will reconnect you at no charge.
I usually pay my bill at the walk-in payment office downtown. How should I go about making my payment?

As the walk-in payment office in the Alliant Energy Tower is currently closed, customers who use these services can pay at any Western Union® Convenience Pay® location available at all Cedar Rapids Hy-Vee Grocery stores. There is a one-dollar service fee. Free payment services are available online or by phone at 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268).
I heard that my rates will be increasing as a result of flooding to my home. Is this true?

This is not true. Alliant Energy is not allowed by the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to raise electric rates for specific customers in their service area that may be impacted by flooding, ice storms, etc. The company can seek to recover the costs associated with these types of events, but rate impacts would be spread across all Iowa electric customers. At this time, it is too early to determine if Alliant Energy would need to seek a rate case to recover costs associated with the flood damage.
I heard Alliant Energy would not allow its employees to leave the Alliant Energy building downtown on Wednesday while the floodwaters rose. Is this true?

Absolutely not. The safety of our employees is our greatest priority. The last employees to leave the building were in the facility to maintain our power system’s communications system. The employees left the facility prior to the floodwaters reaching a critical level which would have made leaving the downtown facility difficult.
There has been some talk in the local media about how strike teams are busting into houses. Are Alliant Energy crews participating in the strike teams?

Yes, Alliant Energy employees are participating in the strike teams. However, our employees do not need to enter a home. When necessary, our employees are able to disconnect service from outside the home. There have been instances when emergency personnel (fire or police) have had to enter a vacant home to access the potential for danger.