 | IEC and 100% Iowa are pleased to launch our newest newsletter: Current State. This monthly energy-focused publication will provide energy news and events from IEC and 100% Iowa, our member organizations, and other groups across the state. Thanks for connecting with us and happy reading! | | Net Metering Tariffs Approved by IUB The Iowa Utilities Board approved the net metering tariffs for Iowa's two largest utilities at the end of 2020, and they're now in effect. Governor Reynolds signed SF 583 on March 12, 2020, putting net metering into Iowa law for the first time, and creating a new inflow-outflow billing system for customer-owned generation like solar. The new law took effect on July 1, 2020, and MidAmerican and Alliant – Iowa’s two largest utilities – made initial tariff filings at the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to implement the law on June 29, 2020, and July 1, 2020, respectively. The MidAmerican tariff was approved by the IUB and became effective November 24, 2020, and the Alliant tariff on December 30, 2020. Under the inflow-outflow billing method created by the new law, any kWh delivered to the customer from the utilities (inflow) will be billed to the customer at the retail rate. Any kWh exported to the utilities’ electric systems (outflow) will be credited at the outflow rate which will be set at the retail rate initially. The credits will appear as dollar amounts on the customer’s bill and will offset energy charges, but cannot offset fixed charges like the monthly meter charge. The utility will purchase outflow credits from the customer for 20 years at the retail rate, providing certainty when they install a system. For the customer, the inflow-outflow billing method will be very similar to the previous net metering policy in terms of payback on a solar system. | | | | | |  | Des Moines Commits to 100% Clean Energy After months of organizing, 100% Iowa's grassroots campaign to make Des Moines a national clean energy leader came to fruition. On January 11, the Des Moines City Council made history by voting to adopt a first-of-its-kind 100% clean energy goal. The resolution specifically calls for the city to reach 24x7 carbon-free electricity by 2035. While the 2030 target date initially proposed was ultimately pushed back five years, this concession resulted in a unanimous vote tally from the council, which seemed unlikely after a heated work session held by the city a month prior to the vote. The goal makes Des Moines the first city in the state of Iowa to commit to 100% clean energy and adds the city to the list of more than 170 nationwide that have taken up various 100% clean energy goals. The 100% Iowa project hopes to emulate this success in other parts of the state in the year ahead. | | |  | IEC Welcomes New Executive Director This month, IEC welcomed Dr. Brian Campbell as the organization's new Executive Director, bringing with him extensive experience in the clean energy field. Brian most recently served as the Director of Sustainability - Education and Partnerships at Central College in Pella, having spent considerable time designing and implementing campus-wide climate goals. In this role, he also built expansive collations with community partners and worked to elevate environmental justice conversations throughout the campus. Brian recently served as board president of Iowa Interfaith Power and Light, and also serves on a number of volunteer positions with environmental groups in the state. | | |  | New administration acts immediately on climate On day one of his administration, President Biden signed an executive order for the United States to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, restoring our nation's commitment to reducing our emissions on the world stage. Today - in what is being called 'Climate Day' - the administration took additional executive action on climate change through a number of measures, such as commanding the secretary of the Interior Department to pause new oil and gas leases on public lands and offshore waters "to the extent possible." Federal agencies were also ordered to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, as well as explore new innovative technologies. IEC and 100% Iowa look forward to seeing the impact these actions will have at the state level and will continue to update you as these mesaures take shape. | | | | | | | | Our Legislative News Portal got an update this year. Visit the portal to see enhanced resources, including energy program priorities for 2021, our latest weekly summary, the bill tracker, and more. | | | | | Need useful tools when engaging in conversations about clean energy in Iowa? Our revised Solar, Wind, and Solar State Investment Tax Credit fact sheets, updated for 2021, provide the stats you need. | | | | | Last spring, IEC unveiled the Road to 100% Renewable, comparing a dozen recent studies on renewable energy needs by 2050. View our webinar to learn more about the publication and our recommendations. | | | | Upcoming Council and 100% Iowa Events | |  | Our Clean Power Hour series kicks off this month! 100% Iowa is launching these casual, online networking events to connect with clean energy supporters across the state. Join us Thursday evenings to get to know other supporters in your community, meet the 100% Iowa team, and find out how to get involved in Iowa’s clean energy transition. Find out when we're meeting in your area! | | |  | Join IEC virtually on February 25 for our annual Environmental Advocacy Day. Hear from environmental advocates and legislators, participate in a free advocacy training session, and network with environmental organizations and other Iowans engaged in this work. This year's program offers two engaging events. Visit our event page for details. | | | | Upcoming Member & Partner Events | | | | | | 505 Fifth Ave. Suite 850
Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2317
515-244-1194 | | | | | |
