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2024 Electric Generation Condition of the State Report 

IEC has released the 2024 Iowa Electric Generation Condition of the State report, which outlines how Iowa’s power needs are satisfied, with detailed data concerning the clean energy transition. 

The report analyzes important challenges and opportunities that face our state. Iowa is a leader in wind energy generation with approximately 64% of our energy load supplied by wind turbines. At the same time, Iowa still hosts six aging, polluting coal plants - one of the nation’s largest coal fleets. Our report gives detailed statistics about each plant, the role they serve (or not) in meeting our energy needs, and why it is urgent to begin transitioning away from fossil fuels. 

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m. central time for a webinar discussing the major findings of the report. Iowa Environmental Council's Energy Policy Counsel Steve Guyer will break down the data and illustrate why a transition away from fossil fuel not only make sense for the environment and climate but is also the most economically sound path for our state. 

REGISTER HERE FOR THE WEBINAR 

Webinar: Condition of the State 2024 
Tuesday, September 10 
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 
Online - Zoom Webinar 

This free event is virtual. Can't make it for the live event? A recording will be made available to view at your convenience.  

 
 

Iowa Energy News 

Iowa Utility Commission’s proposed rule weakens clean energy claims

IEC and the Environmental Law & Policy Center hoped state regulators would rescind rules that allow MidAmerican Energy to mislead customers about the company’s energy portfolio.

MidAmerican initially supported rescinding the rules, too - then flipped its position and now wants to keep them.

Under the rules, MidAmerican can ask the commission to verify the percentage of the company’s retail sales that were served using renewable generation, which MidAmerican has reported as providing 100% renewable energy - despite its coal plants.

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Read the full story at the Cedar Rapids Gazette

 

 

Better air quality data needed for Iowa communities with high asthma rates

Environmentalists say they need better data on what's in the air Iowans are breathing.

They said that's especially true for communities with high asthma rates, such as Council Bluffs.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources does not have an ozone monitor in Council Bluffs.

The Iowa Environmental Council gave the agency data showing the town is just one of eight in the state with a high asthma rate that it says isn't adequately monitored.

View the report from KETV

 

Wind turbine production to restart in West Branch

Spurred by federal incentives for renewable energy and predicting growth, a global wind energy company says it will hire approximately 100 employees for its West Branch plant and restart manufacturing in a facility that laid off the last of its assembly workers a decade ago.

Nordex Group will restart production in West Branch in 2025, aiming to begin production of wind turbines in June.

the West Branch site currently employs about 100 people to support other turbine operations in the United States and has served as a warehouse. The site also has been used to train service technicians for tasks such as climbing and rescues.

Read more at the Cedar Rapids Gazette

 

 

Action Alert - Tell the EPA to protect people and parks from haze pollution!

The EPA is planning to approve the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) State Implementation Plan to control haze pollution caused by coal-burning power plants. Unfortunately, Iowa’s plan ignores cost-effective upgrades to pollution controls at MidAmerican’s coal plants that would significantly reduce harmful air pollutants.

Send a comment to the EPA urging them to act now by disapproving of Iowa DNR’s plan and instead require MidAm to upgrade its pollution controls and clean up our air!

Featured Video

Last week, Iowa AFL-CIO hosted its annual conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona and invited Iowa Environmental Council to address the gathered union members. Cody Smith, IEC's Climate Initiatives Director, shared a story of his personal tie to the union community and affirmed the IEC's commitment that green jobs should be good jobs, and that union workers demonstrate how people can band together to demand the just transition away from polluting jobs and into a sustainable economic future.

Upcoming Energy Events

9/10 - Iowa Electric Generation Condition of the State webinar (Online)

9/12 - Resilient Roots - Climate Preparedness & Resilience Open House (Des Moines)

9/15 - Prompt For The Planet (Iowa City)

9/15 - Latino Conservation Week: A Hispanic Access Foundation Initiative - A Day of Climate and Community (Iowa City)

9/19 - The Economic Implications of Climate Change (Iowa City)

9/24 IEC Annual Conference (Des Moines)

9/26 - Pro H20 (Des Moines)

Have an relevant event we don't have listed here? Submit an event for our Event Calendar.

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515-244-1194 

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