Franchise negotiations present opportunity for improvement 

Iowa law grants energy providers a guaranteed market in exchange for regulatory oversight. With this arrangement, Iowa's customers lack choice. These defined service territories result in franchise agreements between local municipalities and their respective utility. These contracts offer local governments the option to negotiate terms with their provider, for better or for worse. 

Joleen Jansen is an Elkader resident and serves as the Clayton County Energy District director. She shares an update on the Elkader franchise agreement which is currently in flux. "Long-term no-out contracts are limiting, not future-ready, and relinquish power to a company that already has a monopoly," Jansen writes in regard to the proposed changes. Learn more in her latest IEC guest blog.

Cities help drive clean energy procurement 

In January of this year, Des Moines made headlines after adopting an ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy goal by 2035. For a refresher on the commitment and the campaign, read our overview here. 

These goals are gaining popularity, and are being pursued by cities and companies alike. This trend is driving a shift in procurement strategies, which is reflected in a new report from the World Resources Institute. Des Moines Councilmember Josh Mandelbaum spoke about the city's goal and MidAmerican Energy's role in a recent story about clean energy procurement. 

“We’re going to be pushing them to retire their coal [and] build more renewable assets on the grid in Iowa,” Mandelbaum said. “There’s an inherent tension there. They want to be doing it on their timeline.”

Clean energy and climate win with Iowa Gives Green

August 4 was the first-ever Iowa Gives Green: A Day of Giving to Protect Iowa’s Environment. A coalition representing 17 environmental organizations across Iowa participated in the inaugural event. 

Jordan Bles, IEC's Director of Fundraising and Development spearheaded the event and shared his reflections on the day in a recent blog post. "It is just the kind of coalition work that came together, putting our money where our mouth is to make an impact, that gives me hope for the work ahead," Bles writes.

The fundraiser drove more than $25,000 in giving from more than 200 donors. IEC hopes to replicate this success in next year's event which will be held on August 3, 2022.