The Iowa Utilities Board issued a ruling this week saying Interstate Power and Light would not be able to increase their electric rates beyond a hike implemented last March. IUB Spokesman Rob Hillesland says the decision was made make sure that rates wouldn’t go up during a difficult economic time. IPL, which is an Alliant Energy subsidiary had asked for a nearly 17 percent rate increase last spring. They were allowed to raise rates by roughly seven percent pending the IUB’s ruling. The decision essentially means rates won’t go up, but they also won’t go down.