Environmental Law & Policy Center » Iowa

ELPC Defends Iowa’s Clean Water Standards

Kcoleman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:34:22 +0000

ELPC is defending Iowa’s clean water standards from a legal challenge by the farm bureau. The farm bureau attempted to subpoena private communications related to the clean water standards from the Iowa Environmental Council. ELPC argued that IEC’s first amendment rights protected them from this intrusive subpoena. On October 13, the judge ruled in our favor and agreed that IEC could not be forced to turn over private communication. As this case continues, ELPC will work to uphold clean water protections and protect the rights of our environmental colleagues in the Midwest. Read an earlier post about this case.

South Dakota Gov. Daugaard Calls for Wind Energy

Kcoleman — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:16:28 +0000

Gov. Dennis Daugaard was among 24 governors — including those from Midwest/Great Plains states Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and North Dakota — last month to sign a letter urging President Obama to ensure that tax credits for wind energy deployment are renewed next year.

South Dakota Wind Energy Association Executive Director Steve Wegman told the South Dakota Argus Leader that wind energy has poured more than $2 billion into the state since 2002.

ELPC’s Sioux Falls-based Policy Advocate Matt McLarty said, “If we want developers to invest billions of dollars in wind farms and create thousands of new jobs here, the federal government must create a stable, predictable tax climate that encourages long-term investment.”

Read the article in the Argus Leader.

ELPC Clean Energy Supply Chain Reports: Wind, Solar & Geothermal

Kcoleman — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:46:16 +0000

Click to Download	Publication Date	State	Clean Energy Type	Synopsis
	October 2011	Wisconsin	Wind Solar	This ELPC report finds that Wisconsin is home to more than 250 wind and solar supply chain businesses that are tied to more than 12,000 Wisconsin jobs. Old-line manufacturing companies are re-tooling to supply growing markets for clean energy equipment.
	July 2011	Illinois	Wind Solar Geothermal	This ELPC report finds that over 300 Illinois companies are working in the wind, solar or geothermal energy industries and employing over 18,000 people in the state. From old-line steel fabricators to high-tech start-ups, renewable energy is powering job growth and launching Illinois to the forefront of the green economy.
	April 2011	Michigan	Wind Solar	This ELPC report finds there are 121 Michigan businesses working in solar energy and 120 companies involved in wind power. From old-line manufacturing companies retooling for this growing market to high tech R&D, renewable energy is driving business growth in Michigan. Solar and Wind power provide over 10,000 jobs in Michigan. The state ranks fourth in the nation for number of jobs in the solar industry and first in the nation for clean energy patents. Listen: ELPC Briefing
	January 2011	Ohio	Wind Solar	This ELPC report finds that 106 Ohio companies are doing business with the wind power industry and 63 Ohio companies are part of the solar energy supply chain. Ohio’s strong manufacturing base and skilled workforce, together with supportive policies and smart investments have helped make Ohio a center for clean energy manufacturing. From major companies like First Solar and Cardinal Fastener to over 100 small manufacturers, developers and service firms; clean energy means business for Ohio. Coverage: Columbus Dispatch Coverage: Toledo Blade
	November 2010	Iowa	Wind	This ELPC report finds that Iowa’s wind power supply chain comprises 80 Iowa companies with a total of over 2,300 employees in manufacturing alone. The state ranks second nationally in total wind energy generation. With local manufacturers building everything from huge turbine blades to small electrical components, and service firms providing maintenance, legal, marketing and other support to the industry, wind power means business for Iowa. The report states that a commitment to business development combined with tax incentives, a skilled workforce and a central location have helped make Iowa a leader in the wind industry. Listen: ELPC Briefing Coverage: Cedar Rapids Gazette
	November 2010	Illinois	Wind	This ELPC report finds that more than 100 Illinois companies with a total of over 15,000 employees. These companies range from old-line manufacturers who are retooling to build wind turbine components for the new clean energy economy to corporate headquarters for major wind power developers, to software, financial and support services. Listen: ELPC’s Briefing Coverage: Chicago Sun Times

New Interconnection Standards Clear the Way for Clean Energy in Iowa

Kcoleman — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:59:30 +0000

The Iowa Utilities Board has issued final standards for interconnection of wind, solar and other forms of clean energy to the Iowa electric grid. These rules are the culmination of years of advocacy by the Environmental Law & Policy Center and a coalition of clean energy business, agricultural and environmental groups.

Interconnection is the process of linking clean distributed wind power and solar energy sources of electric generation to the grid. The new standards create a clear process for Iowa citizens and utilities to bring their clean energy sources online with standard forms, affordable fees and reasonable insurance requirements. Iowa previously had loose interconnection guidelines that resulted in a complicated patchwork of rules.

The new Iowa standards are built on a model by ELPC in Illinois and South Dakota. The goal is to “facilitate the addition of distributed generation” to the electric distribution system. The rules minimize burdensome insurance requirements and application fees for small systems, and they include standard forms and contracts to streamline and provide transparency to the process.

The Iowa Utilities Board’s Final Order which includes the final interconnection rules, forms and standard agreements is available here: https://efs.iowa.gov/efiling/groups/external/documents/docket/041781.pdf

The Iowa Utilities Board Staff Memo describes the process: https://efs.iowa.gov/efiling/groups/external/documents/docket/041952.pdf

Iowa Citizens Join ELPC to Show Support for Clean Energy and Climate Bill

Kcoleman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:29:10 +0000

At a public hearing before the Iowa Utilities Board on September 18th, a broad coalition of Iowa citizens called for the Iowa Utilities Board to stand up to utility pressure on climate change. Through previously submitted written comments and personal testimony at a workshop, these citizens made the scientific, economic and personal case for why Congress should pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).

Several of the groups submitted analyses that showed how Iowa will benefit from clean energy legislation through job growth and income in manufacturing, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Others showed that the moderate costs of the bill are miniscule compared to the threat of global climate change.

As ELPC Senior Attorney Rob Kelter said, “There is so much more at stake here than minor changes in electric rates. Clean energy can be a major driver of economic growth in Iowa, but we have to stand up to the utilities to make it happen.”

Howard Learner in Des Moines Register: Help High-Speed Rail Gain Momentum

Kcoleman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:04:39 +0000

In an op-ed in the Des Moines Register, ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner writes about the historic developments and growing support that are making high-speed in the U.S. a reality.

He writes that we need cooperation and continued commitment across the region to bring the benefits of high-speed rail to the Midwest.

“ Working together, we can create a win-win-win for our region: good for jobs and our economy, good for the environment, and good for people and our communities. Let’s get on board together and advance smart Midwest high-speed rail development on a fast track.”

Read the full Op-Ed

ELPC’s Iowa Office Opening Focuses Media Attention on Green Economy

Kcoleman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:20:23 +0000

The opening of ELPC’s new office in Iowa created a stir in the media and focused attention to what Iowa can do to grow the green economy and help solve global warming. Reporters paid extra attention to Iowa’s unique opportunity to use federal stimulus funding to develop fast, convenient rail transportation between Chicago and Des Moines.

Read the text Howard Learner’s interview with Radio Iowa here

Watch WHO-TV’s coverage here

Read Howard Learner’s op-ed in the Des Moines Register here

ELPC’s Howard Learner in the Des Moines Register: Iowa Must Seize Chances to Grow Green Economy

jgeiger — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:05:52 +0000

On the day that ELPC celebrates the opening of its new Iowa office, Executive Director Howard Learner lays out a plan for Iowa’s future in an OpEd in the Des Moines Register. He points out that Iowa is well-positioned to be a leader in the growing green economy, specifically with three major opportunities in energy efficiency, wind power and high-speed rail development.

“Energy, environmental, employment, economic and national-security goals are converging. President Barack Obama and Congress are moving toward realigning our nation to accelerate clean-energy development to create new jobs and achieve significant greenhouse-gas pollution reductions. Clean-energy development is a win-win-win for job creation, economic growth and better environmental quality.”

Read the full OpEd.

Des Moines Register Says Iowa Can Thrive Without Coal, Calls for Better Efficiency

Kcoleman — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:44:18 +0000

In this editorial, the Des Moines register welcomed the decision by Interstate Power and Light to cancel plans for a new coal plant in Marshalltown, Iowa. The editorial rightly points out that coal is the leading cause of global warming pollution and spending huge amounts of money on a new plant would tie Iowa to a dirty and inceasingly expnsive source of energy.

The editors echoed ELPC’s call for the Iowa Utilities Board to require a strong efficiency plan from the utility Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency will create jobs, save money, reduce pollution and eliminate the need for an expensive new coal plant.

Read the editorial here.

Join Us For Our Iowa Office Opening Reception

HLearner — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:29:58 +0000

Join Us For Our Iowa Office Opening Reception

Please join us to celebrate the opening of our new Iowa office on March 11th, 5-7 pm. Our Des Moines office is located in the Historic Insurance Exchange Building at 505 Fifth Avenue on the 3rd Floor.

There will be a brief program featuring ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner and Jim Larew, representing Governor Chet Culver.

RSVP to Andrew Snow at asnow@elpc.org.