Iowa Electric Light & Power Co. v. Lagle

LARSON, Justice.

Electric service to Martha Lagle’s retail shop was disconnected by Iowa Electric Light & Power Company for nonpayment of her bill. She protested to the Iowa State Commerce Commission (now known as the Iowa Utilities Board), claiming there must have been a company error, because her meter readings had suddenly gone berserk. (It turned out that another tenant in the building who was on the same meter had abandoned the premises, leaving walk-in cooler doors open.)

The Iowa Utilities Board (board) processed her complaint on an informal basis and advised her that any power loss was…