IEC's 2021 Condition of the State

IEC recently released the report 2021 Iowa Electric Generation, Condition of the State, which analyzes fossil-fueled generation compared to renewable generation, as well as risks posed by the state’s current energy generation mix that relies on fossil-fueled generation. The report also explains the fallacy of utility claims of providing 100% clean energy to their customers.

“Unfortunately, due to misleading utility marketing efforts, many Iowans believe we are already approaching 100% renewable energy. The truth is, we have a long way to go to achieve a true 100% renewable vision and, in the meantime, the continued use of coal generation has consequences that impact every Iowan,” says Steve Guyer, IEC's energy and climate policy specialist who authored the paper. 

Read a summary of the refreshed report and its findings in IEC's newsroom. 

Polk County's climate action resolution

On September 14, the Polk County Board of Supervisors voted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from county operations by 90% by the year 2040.

The supervisors overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution adopting a Climate Action Plan, which will be integrated into all aspects of the county’s planning, when possible.

The resolution also establishes a Climate Action Team, made up of inter-departmental leaders who will work with an energy consulting firm on an energy audit. The team will make policy recommendations to the board, lead the plan implementation, and track and report progress to the board.

The vote follows the City of Des Moines adoption of a resolution in January calling for the city to run on 100% clean energy by 2035. For a refresher on the commitment and the campaign, read our overview here. 

Meet 100% Iowa's newest organizer!

Earlier this month, Sonita van der Leeuw joined the 100% Iowa team as a Clean Energy Field Organizer. 

As a recent graduate of Drake University, Sonita hopes to put her  degree in Environmental Sustainability and Resilience to good use in her outreach role.   

"I learned how to have a variety of conversations regarding science and conservation. These experiences really changed me and helped me see what sort of energy I want to put out when talking about science or the environment and how to be an effective educator," she writes, reflecting on past work experiences. 

Learn more about Sonita, her background, and what drew her to IEC's work in her introductory blog post. 

Emily Rice is the Chief Operation Officer for The Energy Group, a private energy consulting firm in Des Moines, Iowa. She believes energy efficiency is fundamental to both energy affordability and climate mitigation, and when leveraged strategically serves as a powerful economic driver for our communities. Emily is appointed to the Governor’s Building Code Advisory Council and is a Grist 50 Award Winner.

Seth Watkins is the fourth generation of his family to care for Pinhook Farm, established near Clarinda in 1846 by his Great Grandfather James Shambaugh. Today Pinhook Farm includes both owned and rented acres that support a beef cow calf operation, crop production, and an outfitting business. Seth attributes the growth and success of the operation to making Stewardship, not production, his number one priority.

Karin Stein is the field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force in Iowa and co-leads the organization’s Ecomadres program, which educates and empowers Latino parents to advocate for climate action on behalf of their children. A Kellogg resident, Karin is also a mother to three grown daughters and an accomplished Latin musician who takes inspiration from her roots in Colombia and Costa Rica.