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This settlement is closed!
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A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against the City of Dubuque, Iowa regarding gas and electric fees that were charged to utility customers. If you were billed for gas or electric service within the City of Dubuque between Sept. 5, 2001 and May 25, 2009, you may be eligible for benefits from the class action settlement.
The utility fees class action lawsuit, filed in 2006 by plaintiff J. Thomas Zaber, challenges the City of Dubuque’s right to collect a 2 percent franchise fees from gas and electric utilities. Zuber alleges that the city overcharged customers for more franchise fees than it was allowed to collect under the law.
According to the franchise fee class action lawsuit, the City of Dubuque’s ordinances in effect during the Class Period required Interstate Power and Light Company (later known as Alliant Energy) or Peoples Natural Gas (later known as Aquila or Black Hills Energy) to include the 2 percent franchise fee in their bills to utility customers.
The city denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the utility fees class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of ongoing litigation.
Under the terms of the utility fees settlement, the City of Dubuque has agreed to pay $2.6 million in cash to Class Members. Of this amount, 30 percent will be allocated to gas and 70 percent will be allocated to electric, and then divided among Class Members who paid franchise fees during the relevant time period.
The settlement received final approval on Aug. 28, 2015.
Who’s Eligible
Utility customers within the City of Dubuque between Sept. 5, 2001 and May 25, 2009 are Class Members of this utility fees class action settlement.
Potential Award
Varies. After fees and expenses are deducted from the settlement fund, the remainder will be divided among all Class Members based upon the franchise fees they paid.
Proof of Purchase
Class Members who wish to receive compensation from the Dubuque utility fees settlement must provide information about their accounts including (but not limited to) the utility account number and covered property address. Claim Forms must be submitted by March 29, 2016 in order to be considered.
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
3/29/2016
Case Name
Zaber v. City of Dubuque, Case No. CVCV054663, in the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Iowa
Final Hearing
8/28/2015
Settlement Website
www.DubuqueFranchiseFeeSettlement.com
Claims Administrator
Dubuque Franchise Fee Settlement
P.O. Box 1991
Faribault, MN 55021
1-855-263-3445
Class Counsel
LANE & WATERMAN LLP
Defense Counsel
AHLERS & COONEY PC
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