Iowa Code Title XI. Natural Resources [Chs. 455-485] § 478.4. Franchise--hearing

The utilities commission shall consider the petition and any objections filed to the petition in the manner provided.  The commission shall examine the proposed route or cause any engineer selected by the commission to do so.  If a hearing is held on the petition, the commission may hear testimony as may aid the commission in determining the propriety of granting the franchise.  The commission may grant the franchise in whole or in part upon the terms, conditions, and restrictions, and with the modifications as to location and route as may seem to the commission just and proper.  Before granting the franchise, the utilities commission shall make a finding that the proposed line or lines are necessary to serve a public use and represents a reasonable relationship to an overall plan of transmitting electricity in the public interest.  A franchise shall not become effective until the petitioners shall pay, or file an agreement to pay, all costs and expenses of the franchise proceeding, whether or not objections are filed, including costs of inspections or examinations of the route, hearing, salaries, publishing of notice, and any other expenses reasonably attributable to the franchise proceeding.  The funds received for the costs and the expenses of the franchise proceeding shall be remitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the commerce revolving fund created in section 546.12 as provided in section 476.10.