Iowa Planning Energy Independence By 2025

Iowa Planning Energy Independence By 2025

January 2008  - Iowa's initial Energy 
Independence Plan, submitted to Governor Chet Culver and members of the 
general assembly today, calls for the state to set standards that will 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. 
The plan calls for greenhouse gas emissions standards for new cars sold in 
Iowa that follow the low-carbon standard pioneered by California. 
Written by the newly formed Iowa Office of Energy Independence, the Board 
of the new $100 million Power Fund, and state agencies, the plan 
encourages Iowa production of cost-effective, renewable energy, 
acceleration of infrastructure development, and use of renewable fuels for 
all transportation in Iowa. 
The Iowa Office of Energy Independence was created by the legislature in 
May to recommend ways Iowa could become energy independent by 2025. There 
is a long way to go to reach that goal. Today, 95 percent of the state's 
power comes from outside sources, a figure that has hardly changed in 25 
years, according to the report. 
"There is a new convergence of factors that presses Iowa forward," the 
report states. "It is no longer possible to maintain an energy status 
quo." 
"Windows of opportunity have opened as a result of the convergence of 
time, Iowa's resources and key external conditions," the report says." 
Those include the volatile cost of fossil fuels, the growing acceptance of 
alternative energy sources, local eagerness to invest in energy 
infrastructure, and increasing awareness of climate change." 
"The political will has changed as well, on a global, national, state, and 
local level. Iowa's political leadership is critical for successful market 
transformation to achieve greater sustainable energy usage," says the 
report. 

Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, supports expansion of renewable energy 
in Iowa and across the country. 
Thursday, Culver called on all candidates running for president to support 
extension of the wind production tax credit, which was left out of the 
Energy Bill passed last night in the U.S. Senate. 
“While I support many of the provisions in the Energy Bill, I am 
disappointed this important tax credit was stripped from the legislation," 
said Culver. "However, this does not end this fight and today I call on 
members of Congress, both Democratic and Republican, and others running 
for president to join me in supporting the emerging wind industry by 
supporting the wind production tax credit.” 
Wind power production is particularly important to the Culver government, 
which has attracted new turbine manufacturers, and wind energy producers 
to the state since taking office in January 2007. 
"It is our goal to make Iowa the national leader in energy efficiency, and 
sustainable energy," wrote Governor Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge in a 
letter included in the Energy Independence Plan. "We want to make Iowa 
what we have called the Silicon Valley of the Midwest with respect to our 
new energy economy." 
Culver counts plans for the nation's first cellulosic biorefinery, more 
ethanol E85 pumps and more distribution lines for bio-diesel among his 
renewable energy accomplishments since he took office in January. 
The plan's recommendations to the Iowa Legislature, which will be updated 
annually, include: 
  Join 16 states that have adopted or are considering adopting the 
  California emission standards for passenger vehicles 

  Set standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 

  Encourage Iowa production of cost-effective, renewably-generated 
  electricity 

  Accelerate the infrastructure development and use of renewable fuels for 
  all transportation in Iowa 

  Direct power companies to increase energy efficiency efforts, with 
  increased education 

  Order the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to consider a facility's 
  greenhouse gas emissions when considering whether to approve air permits 


  Mandatory energy audits and energy-efficiency projects at all 
  state-owned buildings, and new energy standards for new buildings 

  Encouragement of telecommuting, ride shares and use of public transit by 
  state employees 

  Plan improvements to power lines, pipelines, railroads, trails, and 
  roads needed to promote energy independence 

  Set numeric goals for cost-effective energy-efficiency measures 

  Require utilities to provide more renewable energy, and provide 
  incentives 

  Develop and enforce energy codes for new and old buildings, and provide 
  incentives for projects that exceed the minimum requirements 

  Adopt a new labeling system for residential, commercial and industrial 
  complexes that promotes energy efficiency achievements
"Energy independence is essential for Iowa's environment and our economy," 
Governor Culver wrote in his letter attached to the plan. "With the 
creation of the Office of Energy Independence and the Iowa Power Fund, we 
have committed our state government to dedicated leadership in this 
effort, and to making Iowa the renewable energycapital of the country." 

---


More Aging Earth Headlines >> 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - Aging Earth Home

AGING EARTH HOME

---

© 2009; Aging Earth .com
Powered by WorldsLargestNetwork.com