IEC member organization Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is an original member of the Clean Up MidAm coalition, a coalition of local organizations pushing MidAmerican Energy to close their five coal plants in Iowa and switch to true, 100% renewable energy generation. 

As part of their coalition commitment, Iowa IPL has been hosting monthly Clean Up MidAm Coffees, which you can join virtually. IPL also produces and sends a Clean Up MidAm e-newsletter, sharing coalition news, activities, and more. In the most recent issue, Kerri Johannsen, IEC's Energy Program Director, shared why IEC and coalition partners are pushing MidAmerican Energy, who is really not so "Iowa nice."

You can read Kerri's column in the Clean Up MidAm March issue on the Iowa IPL website and sign up to get the e-newsletter. You can also follow along with the Clean Up MidAm campaign by following on social and signing up on the Clean Up MidAm website at cleanupmidam.com.

Iowa IPL will be hosting an Earth Day event in conjunction with Clean Up MidAm on April 22 in Des Moines. Learn more about the Earth Day Action opportunity, and view IEC's event calendar to see an ever-growing list of Earth Day events and opportunities across the state in April!

Take Action: Final push for utility rate regulation 

Even after lawmakers called on the IUB to study utility ratemaking practices in Iowa and report back to the legislature with recommendations for improvement in 2025, once again utilities are wielding outsize influence on policy and writing their own rules, prioritizing the profits of their wealthy out-of-state shareholders over hardworking Iowans. 

Businesses large and small, cities of all sizes, county governments, advocates for low-income Iowans, and environmental groups all agree that open and transparent planning will benefit Iowa customers. 

The utilities have outsized influence at the statehouse and the only way to push back is with your help.

Contact your legislator today to tell them to put your interests first, then invite friends and family to take action as well.

IRA in Iowa: Watch the Panel Series event

Last month IEC co-hosted "The IRA in Iowa: Implementing the Clean Energy and Climate Provisions" at the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative at the University of Iowa. 

"The IRA itself has a lot embedded within it, so this panel series was a discussion about some of those opportunities that would apply directly to Iowa," explained Blake Rupe, Program Director of HELI. 

Keynote Kristin G. Eberhard of Rewiring America discussed several benefits and champions of electrification, and shared how the IRA is stimulating electrification in communities across the US and in Iowa.

IEC Energy Policy Counsel Steve Guyer moderated the panel 'State and Local Opportunities,' with discussion focused on sustainability, economic development, and more.

Learn more about the event and watch the full panel series here. 

The Federal Highway Administration recently released information related to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, which provides federal funds for the deployment of electric vehicle chargers.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) that will disburse federal NEVI funds within the state, supporting the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure within Iowa along Interstates 80, 380, 29, and 35.

Applications are due by Friday, April 19, 2024. Eligible applicants include:

• For-profit businesses; 
• Privately owned electric utilities;
• Non-profit organizations;
• Teaming partnerships that include the above eligible entities, as well as governmental entities and municipal utilities. 

Learn more and apply at the Iowa Department of Transportation website