STAFF ATTORNEY
Phone: 515-244-1194 x 211
Email: schmidt@iaenvironment.org
Michael Schmidt returned to Iowa and joined the Council in 2019. He most recently worked as a staff attorney for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, where he focused on clean water and mining issues through enforcement, permitting, and rulemaking actions. He previously worked in the water program for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a state-based nonprofit, where he engaged in legal and policy advocacy, including passage of the state’s Clean Water Accountability Act. He has a law degree from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in political science from the University of Iowa.
Blog posts by this Author:
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Staff Insights: Michael Schmidt on Iowa's Sustainable Future
IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt shares his story about growing up in Iowa, his years living in Minnesota, and coming home to become involved with environmental work through law school, family, and the wonder of the great outdoors.
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How to save Iowans billions and reduce CO2 by 90%
The Iowa Utilities Board has a stark question before it: should it put customers' needs first and require MidAmerican to take action that can save customers as much as $5 billion dollars and reduce CO2 emissions by 90 percent?
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A New Foray Into Community Solar in Eastern Iowa
Alliant Energy will build its first Iowa community solar project in Cedar Rapids. IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt shares IEC's position on Alliant's new program and what it means for area residents.
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Where's the Beef? Near Outstanding Iowa Waters.
Supreme Beef is in the watershed of Bloody Run Creek, a trout stream designated by the DNR as an Outstanding Iowa Water in a unique Iowa landscape. That unique topography means the manure produced by the facility will likely harm the creek, and will likely strip Bloody Run Creek of that special designation.
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When it comes to CAFOs, try, try again
A company seeking to site an 11,600-head cattle feedlot in northeast Iowa wasn't giving up on getting DNR approval. IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt reviews the timeline and how Supreme Beef and DNR found a way to make the massive feedlot happen.
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Gas Companies Want to Profit Off Iowans
The gas industry is trying to save itself at the expense of Iowans. HF 555 and SF 455 would prop up the methane and propane gas industries by creating special protections for out-of-state gas imports.
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The Land Where CAFOs Reign Supreme
The Iowa DNR recently approved the nutrient management plan for a 2,700 cattle feedlot in NE Iowa. As neighbors and Iowans consider the impacts of this operation on fragile karst topography, IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt addresses questions, concerns, and suggestions for the future.
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When is it worth building in a refuge?
In late May, the Iowa Utilities Board issued its final ruling approving construction of the Cardinal Hickory Creek electric transmission line in Iowa, which will cross the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Learn why this particular project will minimize disruption to the land and animals that live there, and why IEC chose to support it.
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Why Cardinal Hickory Creek Will Make Energy More Affordable
The Iowa Utilities Board issued their final ruling approving construction of the Cardinal Hickory Creek transmission line in Iowa, which will facilitate growth of renewable energy. Michael Schmidt with IEC takes a deeper dive into how this new transmission line enables development and keeps energy costs low.
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A Look Inside the Alliant Rate Case Hearing
The Iowa Utilities Board just wrapped up a three-day hearing on the proposed changes to electric rates for Alliant Energy's Iowa affiliate, Interstate Power & Light. Alliant filed a request in March to increase its rates by $203.6 million per year. Because the regulatory process can be difficult to track, we're providing a look into what happened.
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