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Supreme Beef tries, tries again

Last fall, IEC wrote about the problems with Supreme Beef, a concentrated animal feeding operation near Bloody Run Creek, an Outstanding Iowa Water (and cold-water trout stream). The Iowa DNR took the unusual step of not fully approving the facility’s original plan for 11,600 head of cattle. But Supreme Beef is back – and it exemplifies the problems with Iowa’s regulatory structure for CAFOs.

Supreme Beef submitted a Nutrient Management Plan to DNR last summer, which was supposed to assure DNR that the facility’s manure disposal will not cause water pollution. Based on comments from concerned citizens, DNR was forced to acknowledge the opposite: many of the fields Supreme Beef proposed to use would not be suitable for the manure because the information and calculations in the plan had not been accurate.

Based on a review of DNR’s public records, DNR and Supreme Beef scrambled to come up with a solution in the 60-day window required for a DNR decision.

Supreme Beef’s response? Try again. And this time, DNR approved it.

Dunning Spring, Driftless Region

Read the full story

More IEC News

IEC's rural water survey reveals challenges and opportunities

IEC has released a new report, Rural Water Systems in Iowa: Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges.

The report releases findings based on a survey of rural water administrators, seeking information on the issues rural water utilities face. The findings reflect the challenges experienced by those in the rural parts of the state writ large – declining populations, outdated infrastructure, and ongoing water quality issues.

Iowa nears 60% wind energy generation milestone

Iowa reached an impressive clean energy milestone in 2020, according to data recently released from the Energy Information administration Administration (EIA).

Iowa produced the highest percentage of electricity by wind of any state, at 59.6%. This figure represents a sharp increase from 2019, which had the state at 42% electricity from wind.

Read more in our newsroom.

IEC to host Missouri River Flooding events

The Missouri River experienced catastrophic flooding in March of 2019. Much of the discussion around flood management and control after the 2019 floods centered on the role of the Army Corps of Engineers and the levee system, but nature-based flood solutions need to be part of conversations with decision-makers.

IEC will host two Missouri River-focused events online this spring to educate and learn from residents in affected communities.

Upcoming Events

4/8 - Sussman Lecture featuring Nicole Hannah-Jones, Harkin Institute
4/13 - America's Most Endangered Rivers, American Rivers
4/16 - L egislative Update with IEC, Iowa Farmers Union
4/17 - IEC's Wild & Scenic Film Festival
4/20 - Missouri River: Advocacy for Flood Prevention in Southwest Iowa, IEC
4/21 - Earth Day Eve Happy Hour, Iowa IPL
4/23 - IEC's Introduction to MRRRI
4/23 - DART Future of Transit Virtual Meeting
4/24 - E arth Day Celebration, Cedar Falls, Good Neighbor Iowa
4/27 - Action Days for Clean Water and Rivers, River Network
4/28 - 100% Iowa's Energy Resiliency & Justice Conversation
4/29 - Building a Resilient Water Sector: Preparing for Supply Chain Disruptions, EPA
4/30 - IEC Legislative Lunch
5/11 - TEDx Des Moines
5/14 - Missouri River: Advocacy for Flood Prevention in Southwest Iowa, IEC

View the Complete Events Calendar

Organizational Member News

Greening lawns with Good Neighbor Iowa

This spring, Good Neighbor Iowa - a part of IEC Member Organization CEEE - wants to help you do lawn care in a safer and easier way. GNI promotes an alternative, low-maintenance, and safe way to manage a beautiful, biodiverse lawn that supports ecological health and reduces the amount of toxic chemicals that our families and pets are exposed to. Get more information on the program and how you can utilize their resources.

REAP 3.0: Expanding and Improving the Rural Energy for America Program

President Biden’s new American Jobs Plan promises to “invest in rural communities and communities impacted by the market-based transition to clean energy.” Member organization ELPC argues one of the best ways to do so is by expanding an existing program that has been effective and incredibly popular for decades: the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Read more on REAP 3.0.

What's the history of Earth Day?

Sara Carmichael with Iowa Rivers Revival shares the history of Earth Day and the protections it has established, including the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and more.

Read about the history of Earth Day and get ideas for your 2021 celebration in the April issue of IRR's Channel Chat.

Clayton County Energy District maps big growth in local solar

Over the summer of 2020, Summer Intern Jake Jansen worked to collect data and quantify the solar of Clayton County. Thanks to his dedicated work, the map went from 20 to 75 points over the summer (a total of about 1,000 KW)! Learn more and view the map.