Energy and Global Warming Solutions
State Legislative Summary, July 11, 2011
During the 2011 Legislative Session the Iowa Environmental Council provided guidance to legislators on proposed policies that would promote the creation of clean energy and clean energy jobs in Iowa, state policies that would have helped reduce air pollution in Iowa cities, and legislation that would affect the state’s ability to protect water quality and conserve other natural resources of the state.
All Iowans owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who took the time to let decision makers know that caring for natural resources is key to sustaining our lives and those of future generations. THANK YOU ACTION ALERT VOLUNTEERS!
Most everything is now subject to approval or line item veto by Governor Branstad. After the Governor weighs in on this session’s legislatively approved bills, including the state budget bills, we will post a comprehensive report online. In the meantime, click HERE for a snapshot of key energy bills and their status, now that the 2011 Legislature has adjourned.
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New Poll Shows Iowans Oppose Paying for New Nuclear Reactor
Iowans want investments in wind, and solar Instead
A new statewide poll released Monday, April 25, shows that 75 percent of Iowans oppose pending legislation that would permit the electricity rates of MidAmerican Energy customers to be increased now to pay for future construction of a nuclear reactor. 88 percent of Iowans think it is “unfair” that the legislation could pave the way for MidAmerican Energy to raise the public's electricity rates—and allow MidAmerican to “keep the money even if a new nuclear reactor is ultimately not built.” Get more details at Friends of the Earth.
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Report: Shining Bright: Growing Solar Jobs in Iowa
 Can solar energy help build the Iowa economy? This report answers that question with a resounding “Yes.” Iowa has almost all the right ingredients on hand: demonstrated ability to be a renewable energy leader with wind power, a solar energy industry that already employs people across the state, and more sunshine than New Jersey or Germany, both leading global solar markets.
The report, "Shining Bright: Growing Solar Jobs in Iowa," explains the potential job creation and economic impacts of a robust solar industry in Iowa based on modeling undertaken by Iowa State University economist David Swenson. The report concludes with a discussion of what policies have successfully spurred solar industries in neighboring states and what policies are necessary to help Iowa reap the full economic benefit from solar power.
Read the report HERE.
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 Ten ways to green your home and your bank account
July 2009
You can start saving by unplugging every gadget that's not in use, from night lights to video-game consoles, a step that can quickly cut a home's electricity use by 10 percent. An alternative is to plug everything into power strips so you can easily turn off the power strips when you leave the house or retire for the evening.
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Get an audit. Before you invest in a project, you need to know what areas of your home need an upgrade and which will be most cost-efficient. Check with your energy utility to see if they offer free energy audits—many do.
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Seal air leaks. As temperatures fluctuate, building materials expand and contract, and cracks can form that let outside air in—and inside air out. To cut air seepage, you’ll pay about $3 for a spray can of foam sealant or a bit more for weather stripping. If you are not sure where the leaks are, use an infrared thermometer ($30 and up) to find where temperatures fluctuate.
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Heating and cooling. Programmable thermostats start as low as $20, and a novice can install one in an hour or so. The benefit? Many have up four different settings, letting you decide what days and what times to turn on the AC or the heat. Like sleeping when the temperature is cooler? Experts say that correct use of a programmable thermostat can cut energy bills an average of $180 a year.
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Install a ceiling fan to circulate cool air in the summer and—once you change the way the blades face—warm air in the winter.
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Make sure air filters are cleaned regularly. If they are clogged with dirt, dust and pet fur, it makes a furnace or air conditioner work harder. And harder working equipment means higher energy bills.
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Lighting. The twisty compact fluorescent light bulbs called CFLs are definitely more expensive, starting at about $10 for a four-pack of 75-watt bulbs. But they pay for themselves in about six months because they use about 75 percent less energy. And then they last about 10 times longer than a standard incandescent light bulb to keep saving you money.
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About a quarter of a home's energy is used for lighting and appliances. You can cut the lighting use dramatically by buying LED lights, which use up to 90 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb. But the selection remains limited.
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This year's federal economic-recovery legislation offers rebates for some energy-efficient appliances. For more information, go to http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by about $350 per year at current prices, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
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And the resourceful can score tax credits of up to 30 percent of the cost of other improvements aimed at making a home more energy efficient. The changes, repairs, installations and general improvements also can lower your utility bills, which helps your wallet as well as the planet -- though most of the credits are capped at $1,500. The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. To learn more, go to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206875,00.html.
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