Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) is preparing to bring customers another local choice for essential everyday connectivity. At its Tuesday meeting, the MPW Board of Water, Electric, and Communications Trustees approved moving forward with the launch of mobile phone service, expanding the Utility’s communications lineup and responding directly to growing customer interest in a locally supported mobile option.
The new service would build on MPW’s long-standing commitment to reliable communications services and create a convenient new way for customers to keep more of their essential connections with a trusted local provider. Through partnerships with experienced wireless service providers and access to established national carrier networks, MPW expects to offer many of the same everyday mobile features customers receive from larger wireless companies — including nationwide talk, text and data service — with the added benefit of local MPW support, and customer care. The decision follows recent customer survey results showing interest in an MPW mobile phone option. Service plans, features and pricing are still being evaluated, with a launch anticipated later this year.
“Mobile phone service is no longer optional,” General Manager Gage Huston shared. “It’s a core part of customers’ daily lives. MPW has always looked for smart, responsible ways to meet our community’s changing needs, and this is an exciting next step. Going all the way back to 1900, MPW has stepped up to provide services to Muscatine when the private providers weren’t offering the level of service our residents deserve. We believe our ‘neighbors serving neighbors’ culture can provide a better mobile experience for this community.”
In other business, the Board took steps to advance MPW’s lead service line replacement project.
The Board approved a draft Loan and Disbursement Agreement and authorized Huston to negotiate final terms of the agreement. The Board also adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of water State Revolving Fund revenue bonds totaling up to $1.852 million to complete Phase 1 of the project. The loan will function as a construction loan with repayment over 20 years starting after completion of the project. Nearly half of the loan will be forgiven at the completion of construction, and the loan will carry no interest beyond a minor administrative fee.
The lead service line replacement initiative is in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, which require utilities to identify water service lines containing lead or galvanized steel and establish a goal of replacing those lines. This new rule is unique due to the fact that, like with MPW, these service lines are owned by customers and not the utility.
“This project represents an upgrade to the water service for MPW customers,” Huston said. “By helping our customers replace their lead and galvanized service lines, we’re complying with federal requirements and ensuring our customers continue to receive high-quality drinking water for generations to come.”
MPW has identified customers with lead or galvanized water service lines and has contacted them about opportunities to replace those lines using available federal and state funding assistance. Phase 1 of the project includes 158 qualifying service lines, and once funding is approved, MPW and its contractor will commence activities to get these lines replaced over the coming two years.
Mark Roberts, director of finance and administrative services, reported on June financials. MPW net income for the month was $625,000, which was better than the $260,000 loss that was budgeted. Roberts stated, “good performance in the electric wholesale market resulted in $500,000 of budget favorability despite wholesale sales from local generation being 17 million kilowatt-hours, 24%, less than what was planned.” In addition, MPW provided a total of $587,000 of EAC credits to MPW customers in May.
In other business, the Trustees:
• Approved payment for June 2026 expenditures and transactions for a total of $11,785,084.94.
• Set public hearing on August 25, 2026, at 3:58 p.m. to receive public comments on MISO Attachment O Annual Meeting – Transmission Update.
• Approved the 2026 Board Policy Manual.
• Approved a project summary form for Unit 8 boiler repairs at a total cost of up to $872,400.
Submitted by Nick Mussehl.
