Kerri Johannsen

Senior Director of Policy and Programs

Phone: 515-244-1194 x 208

Email: johannsen@iaenvironment.org

Kerri Johannsen is the Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council, providing strategic oversight and advocacy strategy across the Council’s Energy, Climate Initiatives, and Water Programs. She has two decades of experience in energy and environmental policy and has previously served as the Council’s Energy Program Director as well as Manager of Government Affairs. Kerri previously served as professional staff with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, administered the Iowa Power Fund for innovative clean energy projects, and worked as an analyst and Legislative Liaison with the Iowa Utilities Commission before joining the Council in 2016. Kerri was a visiting researcher with the Florence School of Regulation in Florence, Italy, in the summer of 2024. She has a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. 

Blog posts by this Author:

• What the state's ratemaking study can deliver for Iowa ratepayers

  In 2023, the Iowa legislature adopted HF 617, which requires the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to undertake a review of utility ratemaking laws in Iowa and recommend changes at the start of the 2024 legislative session. In this post, IEC shares what we and our coalition partners are seeking to gain for Iowa ratepayers by engaging in this process.

• What's the deal with IEC and Wind PRIME?

  We know it seems strange for groups like IEC to challenge MidAmerican's plans to construct more wind in Iowa, even as we're calling for MidAmerican to shut down its Iowa coal plants or setting goals for our state to be using 100% carbon-free energy by 2035. But those goals are the exact reason why we're questioning MidAmerican's latest project.

• Climate-centered federal funding opportunities renew optimism in the year ahead for Iowans

  IEC's energy program director Kerri Johannsen reflects on the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, and the tools Iowans can leverage to navigate new opportunities created by the law to access clean energy and its benefits.

• New Iowa Law Keeps Solar Growing

  On March 12, 2020, Governor Reynolds signed SF 583 – a bill IEC and our partners had dubbed the “Sunshine Tax” that failed a year earlier. In the course of that year, Senate File 583 evolved into something that is rarely achieved: legislation with unanimous support from both political parties in both houses of the legislature.

• 2018 Legislative Session Delivers Wins and Losses

  The 2018 Legislative Session was a year of highs and lows, with hard-fought battles over protection of Iowa's water and land and clean energy leadership. The Council did not win every round, but with our supporters we changed the direction of the conversation on many issues.

• Value of Iowa's Water, Land and Clean Energy Economy Challenged in 2017 Legislative Session

  The session is over and the consequences are real, but the Council's policy, advocacy and regulatory work outside of Session will only improve our position going into 2018.

• Governor's Recommended Budget Cuts Could Mean Lackluster Efforts for Water Quality

  Governor Branstad unveiled his budget recommendations for the remainder of fiscal year 17 and for fiscal years 18 and 19. Unfortunately, his recommendations will not lead to the aggressive action required to address our water quality problems.

• Announcing Our 2017 Legislative Priorities

  We are excited to announce the legislative priorities we have developed in partnership with our members, our member organizations and our board for the 2017 legislative session. With your help, we can make Iowa a safer, healthier and more beautiful state!

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