Iowa Code § 476A.1: Definitions.

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Agency” means an agency as defined in section 17A.2, subsection 1.

2. “Certificate” means a certificate of public convenience, use and necessity issued pursuant to section 476A.6.

3. “Commence to construct” means significant alteration of a site to install permanent equipment or structures but does not include activities incident to preliminary engineering, environmental studies or acquisition of a site for a facility.

4. “Commission” means the utilities commission.

5. “Facility” means any electric power generating plant, electric storage unit, or a combination of plants or units at a single site, owned by any person, with a total capacity of twenty-five or more megawatts of electricity for plants or twenty-five or more megawatt hours of electricity for electric storage units, and those associated transmission lines connecting the generating plant or electric storage unit to either a power transmission system or an interconnected primary transmission system or both. Transmission lines subject to the provisions of this subchapter shall not require a franchise under chapter 478.

6. “Regulatory agency” means an agency which issues licenses or permits required for the construction, operation or maintenance of a facility pursuant to statutes or rules in effect on the date on which an application for a certificate is accepted by the utilities commission.