Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

IEC 2022 Annual Report: Connecting Vision to Action 

IEC's Vision for Iowa: We envision a state that is a leader in addressing climate change and environmental justice, and in creating resilient communities that embody Iowans' shared values of respect for all people and the environment. 

Developed as part of IEC’s new strategic plan in 2022, the above vision statement captures the hopes and passions of IEC’s members, supporters, board, and staff. Coupled with our mission statement – a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans – these echo the goals of IEC’s founding leaders nearly 30 years ago, while reflecting the growth and change of our organization today.

Together with you and our partners across the state, we have a plan to make this vision a reality. We are working to build a more powerful, more diverse environmental movement in Iowa; centering climate and environmental justice; and expanding our advocacy to tackle the historic challenges we face.

We invite you to read this Annual Report to learn how our new mission and vision guided our work over the past year and how they are informing our plans for the future. We look forward to partnering with you to create a just, healthy environment and a sustainable future for all Iowans.

More IEC News

IEC is hiring for new positions

IEC is excited to bring new staff on board in a variety of roles related to the organization's fundraising and corporate accountability work. 

The Event and Fundraising Coordinator will plan and promote IEC fundraising events, and assist with fundraising and outreach activities. Applications are due April 14.

The Campaign Organizer will provide support and conduct outreach related to IEC's corporate accountability work. Applications are due April 21.

Join our team, or share these opportunities with someone you think would make a great fit!

Coal has got to go in Iowa

On the heels of a compelling Des Moines Register Editorial calling for Iowa to accelerate it's move away from coal as the IUB considers MidAmerican Energy's faulty Wind PRIME, IEC has learned of yet another reason coal has got to go.

MidAmerican recently published its updated plan to dispose of toxic coal ash wastewater from its Neal North plant near Sioux City.  The plan? Dump the untreated waste, laced with toxic heavy metals, directly into the Missouri River.

Take action: send comments to MidAmerican by April 14 to tell MidAm to make a better plan - and better yet, shut down Neal North altogether. 

Uplifting Justice40 in Iowa

In early 2021, the Biden Administration launched the Justice40 Initiative, a whole-of-government approach to ensure that federal agencies work with states and local communities to direct 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal climate and clean energy programs to marginalized, over-polluted, underserved and disadvantaged communities. 

The IIJA is the first opportunity to implement the Justice40 initiative, with more opportunities coming through the IRA. 

Read more about the Justice40 initiative and how IEC is working to ensure its effectiveness in Iowa.

Upcoming IEC Events

Upcoming Environmental Events 

4/6 - Know Your Roots: Environmental Justice in Iowa, IEC
4/6 - Green Drinks DSM: Polk County Service Squad, IRR
4/7 - Peace Tree Brewing First Friday Fundraiser: IEC
4/13 - Spring Conference, Iowa Groundwater Association
4/13 - Defending Democracy Award Dinner, League of Women Voters of Iowa
4/14 - Polk County Service Squad Kick-off, IRR and IEC
4/14 - Adapting to a Warming World, Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative
4/18 - Climate Justice and the Politics of Emotions, Luther College
4/18 - The Farm Bill and Factory Farms, IFU and JFAN
4/21 - Earth Day Eve - Celebrate a Just Clean Energy Transition, Iowa IPL
4/22 - Earth Day! See a list of Earth Day events around Iowa
4/22 - Gardening with Native Prairie Plants, Iowa Prairie Network
4/23 - Going Solar: Houses of Worship & Nonprofits, Prairiewoods
4/27 - Iowa: An Altered Reality, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
4/30 - Can Iowa's waters be saved?, Plymouth Congregational UCC
5/4 - Energy Trends Workshop: Elevating the Energy Conversation, IWRC
5/6 - Rally for a Coal-Free Future, Sierra Club Beyond Coal and IEC

Organizational Member News

Rural Rapport: Iowa's WMAs and how to support them 

In this recent episode of Rural Rapport from the Center for Rural Affairs, host Teresa Hoffman and guest Sara Carmichael discuss Iowa's watershed management authorities and how they can help to address water quality and flooding concerns. 

Watch the 20 minute webinar on CFRA's Facebook page. 

Trees need the freeze: climate change impacts on Iowa's trees

Winter can be tough tough to weather, but our native trees, as well as some other species, are made to withstand the most brutal of winds and the deepest of snows. 

In this piece from Trees Forever, learn why cold weather is important for Iowa's trees and what you can do to protect your trees from the threats caused by warming winters. 

Success stories from the Rural Energy for America Program 

In Iowa, REAP isn't just for trail and bike projects. Iowans also benefit from another REAP, the Rural Energy for America Program, which has sparked investment in thousands of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for farms and rural small business in Iowa and across the US.

Read success stories in this recent report from ELPC. 

Iowa Water News

Gazette - Highlights of Iowa Ideas water quality week

Audubon County Advocate Journal - U.S. Senate clears measure to undo Biden WOTUS rule on wetlands

KWWL - Dubuque looks at several projects to improve water quality 

Gazette - Opinion: Let's rely on the 'Iowa way' to protect water

Progressive Farmer - CAFOs may face tougher water standards 

Iowa Learning Farms - Lawns and golf courses: A leading cause of Nitrate-N loading?

Iowa Capital Dispatch - Farmers fined for fertilizer creek contamination and fish kill

We Are Iowa - Iowa faces higher than average spring flooding risk along Mississippi River

Iowa Energy News

KMTV 3 News Now - Environmental groups warn about proposed discharge from coal plant to Missouri River

Daily NonPareil- EPA proposes stricter limits on coal ash water pollution

Waverly Newspapers - Shedding some light on home solar

CFRA - DOE announces application deadline for rural clean energy funding

Des Moines Register - As Iowa's demand for electric cars soars, more EV charging stations are coming

Times Republican - Alliant, YMCA/YWCA team up on unique solar project

Yale Climate Connection - "It's almost like a cult." Activists shout down rural renewable energy projects

Inside Climate News - These small- to medium-size states punch above their weight in renewable energy generation

E&E News - Climate law could help EPA justify stronger power plant rules

Grist - US renewable power surged ahead of coal for the first time last year

Iowa Climate News

Iowa Public Radio - Iowa climatologist says there is still time to mitigate damage from climate change

Gazette - Iowa shuns $3M federal grant for climate change plans

KCCI - Forecasting Our Future: Growing corn amidst changing weather patterns

Axios DSM - Des Moines' winters are getting warmer

Gazette - Opinion: Why I don't believe in climate change

SW Iowa News Source - How climate change can impact your finances

Grist - The next farm bill could be an historic climate law - if Congress can agree on it

Climate Land Leaders - Five things to know about climate change and agriculture

Investigate Midwest - Despite national goals, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked

Scientific American - Climate change is destabilizing insurance industry

The Guardian - United Nations adopts landmark resolution on climate justice

 
505 Fifth Ave, Suite 850
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
515-244-1194 |
iecmail@iaenvironment.org
Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences