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AI queries require about 10 times the electricity of traditional internet searches and the generation of original music, photos and videos requires much more, according to the Electric Power Research Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Iowa researchers shine light on the future of energy use

Researchers at Iowa State University are taking aim at the huge amount of energy used by data centers, now and in the future. They have developed a …

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources must report annual greenhouse gas inventories to the legislature and governor each year. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa releases 'Condition of the State' report on clean energy goals

Alternative energy advocates say Iowa is making significant progress on reaching its green power goals by 2035. The state has become a national …

Scientists at Iowa State University are creating biochar to mix with Iowa's rich soil to sequester carbon, create prime growing conditions for crops and soak up climate-warming fossil fuel emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Scientists in IA target 'low-hanging fruit' to sequester carbon

By Lindsey Byman for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

Critical infrastructure, such as the I-74 bridge, will be at an increased risk of flooding, threatening connectivity across the region, according to new climate change modeling from the National Wildlife Federation and Prairie Rivers Network. (Adobe Stock)

Public contributes to climate change research

A new report from the National Wildlife Federation warns that the effects of climate change in the Quad Cities, along the Iowa-Illinois border…

NEVI covers planning, acquisition, installation and operational costs of the EV unit. (Adobe Stock/serperm73)

IA joins nationwide network of EV charging stations

Iowa is accepting bids from people who want an EV charging station on their land. It's part of a nationwide network of infrastructure designed to …

Nine states in the Upper Midwest make up 32% of total installed wind capacity nationwide, according to the Clean Grid Alliance. (Adobe Stock)

Big Push for Wind as Rural Iowa Economic Development

Green energy advocates are pushing wind power as an economic development tool in rural America. Iowa is among the nation's leaders in wind energy …

In 2022, wind turbines were the source of about 10.2% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Wind now accounts for 64% of Iowa's total energy production. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Reaches Milestone on Wind-Energy Production

Sixty-four percent of Iowa's energy production now comes from wind - a new record for the state, according to the U.S. Energy Information …

Project developers have announced ambitions for more than 200 new capture facilities to be operating by 2030, capturing more than 220 metric tons of CO2 per year globally, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Build Opposition to CO2 Pipelines at Des Moines Hearing

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates carbon dioxide pipelines, and is holding a two-day conference in Des …

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office is researching the opportunities and tradeoffs of agrivoltaics. (Adobe Stock)

Battle Heats Up Over Iowa Solar-Project Sites

Supervisors in Tama County this week are considering an ordinance to limit the size of solar installations on farmland, to generate no more than 25 …

Electric-car sales reached a record high in 2021, despite supply chain bottlenecks and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with 2020, sales nearly doubled to 6.6 million, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Experts School IA Emergency Responders on EV Car Crashes

With more electric vehicles on the road, automakers are training emergency workers in best practices to respond to crashes involving the battery-…

Investing in solar produces zero carbon emissions and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases and improves cost efficiency over time, which will end up saving on energy bills, according to Iowa Interfaith Power and Light. (Adobe Stock)

Opportunities Abound 'Under the Sun' for Houses of Worship

A new report by a prominent national research center said America's houses of worship lag in alternative energy investment. The Lawrence Berkeley …

Concerns over carbon capture and storage include pipelines' safety risks, the cost to taxpayers, corporations' use of eminent domain and carbon capture's dubious climate credentials, according to the nonprofit Food & Water Watch. (Adobe Stock)

IA Eminent Domain Opponents Herald House-Passed Bill

The Iowa House has passed a bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipeline operators in the state. The measure would require …

As of March 2022, Iowa had at least 349 megawatts of total installed solar capacity, up from approximately 2 megawatts of solar installed in 2012, according to the Iowa Environmental Council. <br />(Adobe Stock)

ISU Researchers to Study Growing Crops in Solar Farms’ Shadow

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Iowa State University a $1.8 million grant to raise high-dollar crops in the shadow of huge solar …

A record 16,836 megawatts of U.S. wind capacity was installed in 2020, bringing the cumulative total to 121,955 megawatts, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. (Adobe Stock)

IA Regulators Make WindPRIME Studies Public

Iowa utilities regulators have published previously undisclosed information on Des Moines-based energy giant MidAmerican Energy's proposal to construc…

A growing number of projects nationwide focus either on carbon dioxide capture or transport and storage to handle fuel-production byproducts, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Iowans Organize to Block Use of Eminent Domain for CO2 Pipelines

An environmental group will host an online rally tonight in support of a bill in the Iowa Legislature to block the use of eminent domain to build capt…

Wind power is the most productive renewable energy source in the U.S., generating nearly half of America's renewable energy, according to the World Economic Forum. (Adobe Stock)

IA Regulators Require Release of MidAmerican Wind Energy Studies

Environmental groups are pleased with an Iowa Utilities Board ruling that requires MidAmerican Energy to make planning studies public for its Iowa Win…

U.S. solar power capacity stands at an estimated 97.2 gigawatts. This is enough to power the equivalent of 18 million average American homes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Asking IA Lawmakers to Prioritize Water Quality, Renewable Energy

The Center for Rural Affairs wants the Iowa Legislature to prioritize water quality and renewable energy in the new session. One priority is more …

Local government planning experts say while the decommissioning of solar farms isn't as difficult as taking a power plant offline, it still requires things such as an environmental review in bringing the land back to its original state. (Adobe Stock)

Solar Power Grows In IA: Taking the Long View

Drive around Iowa these days, and you're likely to see more evidence of solar power. Policy analysts say it gives the state's clean energy …

In bi-partisan fashion, Iowa leaders have championed wind energy development. But some say the state is behind in studying the broader impact of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

IA Leaders Face New Pressure to Study Climate Change

The effects of climate change, such as droughts and destructive storms, have been visible across Iowa in recent years. That's prompted calls for …

Renewables now comprise nearly 60% of all electricity produced in Iowa. (Adobe Stock)

New Numbers Show IA's Clean-Energy Sector Growing Stronger

The new Inflation Reduction Act is expected to spur more clean-energy projects around the country. It coincides with some encouraging numbers for …

Despite the growth of renewable energy in Iowa, considering projects is still new to a lot of local governments. That's prompted a Midwest organization to propose a guide to be shared by state leaders. (Adobe Stock)

New Tool Emerges in Helping IA Communities Map Out Wind, Solar

Iowa is seen as a leader in renewable energy for sources like wind power, but tension is building in how to site such projects. The rapid growth of …

Last year, Iowa had more than 2,000 job openings that fall under the green-energy umbrella. (Adobe Stock)

Report: IA Has Strength in Green Jobs, Could Be Stronger

By Laura Aka for Working Nation.Broadcast version by Mike Moen reporting for the Iowa News Service Working Nation-Public News Service Collaboration "…

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek power line is a nearly $500 million project, stretching more than 100 miles. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife Refuge Concerns at Heart of Power-Line Controversy

Work continues on a proposed power-line system that would cross into Iowa from Wisconsin, even as court battles play out about the project. …

Companies like Vestas have established a goal of zero-waste wind turbines by the year 2040. (Adobe Stock)

You Can Recycle a Plastic Bottle. What About Wind-Turbine Blades?

This Earth Day, Americans will be reminded of the need to take steps to protect the environment. Wind turbines are a leading clean-energy source…

The Sierra Club says more than 180 cities have issued 100% clean-energy commitments. (Adobe Stock)

Patchwork of Local Carbon Free Pledges Takes Shape in IA

Iowa is among the top states for wind energy, but it doesn't have a statewide goal to significantly reduce carbon emissions. So, local governments …

Private landowners in farming communities and environmental groups have mounted heavy opposition to proposed carbon-capture pipelines in Iowa. (Adobe Stock)

As IA Session Winds Down, Eminent-Domain Question Lingers

Iowa's legislative session could wrap up this month, but one of the unresolved issues surrounds landowner rights that intersect with proposed …

Summit Carbon Solutions is proposing what's been described as one of the world's largest carbon capture projects in the world. (Adobe Stock)

Landowner Rights at Center of IA's Carbon Pipeline Debate

Eminent-domain concerns are a focal point as Iowa considers the idea of allowing underground pipelines to transfer carbon dioxide for storage…

Iowa's Solar Energy System Tax Credit, which expired last year, offset the cost of a residential installation project by an average of 13%. (Adobe Stock)

With IA Solar Tax Credit Expired, Focus Shifts to Payment Backlog

Iowa's tax credit for installing solar-energy systems is no longer in place, but lawmakers still face pressure to provide payments to those who were …

Groups that who question the environmental benefits of carbon capture and storage say the process would expend even more energy just to operate. (Adobe Stock)

Carbon Pipeline Plan Spurs Organized Opposition from Tribes

An Iowa company is trying to gain support for a multi-state project involving capturing carbon from ethanol plants and moving it underground for stora…

Analysts say carbon capture facilities and underground pipelines would require hundreds of billions of dollars in investments, but are likely to fall short of emission-reduction goals. (Adobe Stock)

Plans for Carbon Sequestration Pipeline for IA Questioned

DES MOINES, Iowa -- This fall, the Iowa Utilities Board is hosting meetings to inform the public about a proposed underground pipeline, which would …

No-till farming, which involves growing crops without disrupting the soil, is considered a hallmark of conservation in agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation For Sale: Connecting Heartland Farmers with Sustainable Ag

HARLAN, Iowa -- The effects of climate change are laid out in a new United Nations report, which pointed to greenhouse gas emissions. While global …

More than 40% of Iowa's power comes from wind energy. (shaiith/Adobe Stock)

Knowing Wind Farms' Limits Can Help Prevent Utility Disruptions

DES MOINES, Iowa - As scientists warn that the increase in extreme weather events shows no signs of stopping, experts say it's important as ever to …

Despite some backlash in recent weeks from various politicians, renewable energy has seen bipartisan support in a number of national polls. (Adobe Stock)

Wind-Energy Proponents Dispel Myths Following Power Failures

DES MOINES, Iowa - The reliability of clean energy was thrust back into the spotlight following recent power failures in southern states. In Iowa…

This year, at least 70% of Iowa's solar tax credit is being used to reimburse customers on a waiting list. (Adobe Stock)

Expanding IA's Solar Tax Credit Seen as Economic Boost During Crisis

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa hasn't seen as much economic pain as some other states during the pandemic, but many residents and small businesses are …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Iowa's wind turbines generated 42% of the state's electricity in 2019, the highest wind-power share for any state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Careful Approach Needed for Wind Farm Rules

DES MOINES, Iowa - The wind-energy industry has a strong presence in states such as Iowa. But for more projects to move forward, a new report says …

According to one trade group, Iowa has more than 9,000 wind-energy jobs. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Hits Iowa's Wind Energy Industry Hard

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Renewable energy is among the many industries seeing major disruptions during the pandemic. Observers say that's troubling news …

More than 500 miles of levees on three Midwestern rivers and other tributaries experienced significant flood damage this year. (iowafloodcenter.gov)

Iowa Voters Want Presidential Candidates to Address Climate Change

DES MOINES, Iowa – Democratic presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa are fielding lots of questions about how they plan to address climate …

Iowa is a major wind-power provider, but ranks 29th among U.S. states for solar investment, despite solar rooftops' ability to provide 20% of all electricity used in the state. (cfra.org)

Report Charts Pathway for Rural Clean Energy

DES MOINES, Iowa - Rural electric cooperatives serve more than 40 million people, including 650,000 in Iowa, and a new report says many co-ops could …

Iowa's State Water Plan, which looked at supply, demand and protection of the state's water resources, has not been updated since 1985. (iowawatershedapproach.org)

Iowa Recovers from Devastating Floods, Prepares for More

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowans are being asked to use last month's catastrophic flooding as leverage to renew conversations about prevention and …

The Environmental Protection Agency wants to undo rules that govern mercury and other toxic emissions, even while its own research shows the standards prevent 130,000 asthma attacks each year. (keckmedicine.org)

Iowa Mom Tells EPA: "Keep Mercury and Air Toxics Standards"

DES MOINES, Iowa - Exposure to mercury can negatively affect child development, including unborn children, and that's one reason critics are speaking …

Opponents of a bill in the Iowa Legislature say it would make privately owned solar-power generation by homeowners, farmers and small businesses much less economically viable. (skeeze/Pixabay)

Solar-Power Advocates: Iowans Need Incentives to "Farm the Sun"

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's largest investor-owned utility wants to make owners of private solar power systems pay more for generating their own …

New research shows the nation's biofuels policy under the Renewable Fuel Standard is having unintended, negative environmental consequences. (mncorn.org)

Report: Environment Suffers Under Renewable Fuel Standard

DES MOINES, Iowa – The increased use of biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard is damaging wildlife habitat, depleting water aquifers and …

Anita Christensen of Iowa, left, was among a group of 10 moms who visited Capitol Hill in Washington last week to oppose Andrew Wheeler's confirmation as E-P-A administrator. (partnership project)

Iowa Mom Raises Concern Over Wheeler as EPA Chief

DES MOINES, Iowa – Environmental advocate Anita Christensen traveled from Indianola to Washington last week, hoping to convince Sen. Joni Ernst …

Iowa is part of a coalition of states, counties and cities that oppose repeal of the Obama-era Clean Power Plan. (phys.org)

Critics: Clean Power Plan Replacement Would Weaken Air Protections

DES MOINES, Iowa – The public is being asked to weigh in through Oct. 30 on the Trump administration's replacement for the Clean Power Plan…

The cost of gasoline in Iowa averages $2.79 per gallon this summer, which is 53 cents higher than one year ago. (registration.org)

Will New EPA Chief Continue Rollback of Clean Car Standards?

DES MOINES, Iowa — At the Environmental Protection Agency, a new acting administrator takes over for Scott Pruitt today. But big regulatory …

The quest for energy efficiency employs approximately 2 million Americans. (Nick Youngson/Alpha Stock Images)

Iowa's Utility Companies Face Monday Deadline for Energy-Efficiency Plans

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's investor-owned utilities have until Monday to submit five-year energy-efficiency plans to be approved by the Iowa …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

About 3,000 people attended the 2017 March for Science in Des Moines last April. (sciencemag.org)

"March for Science" Returns to Iowa Capitol Saturday

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's primary election is less than two months away, and organizers of tomorrow's second annual "March for Science" have …

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IA: Energy Policy