Blog – Iowa Environmental Voice

posted by Ingrid Gronstal Anderson on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 As a water quality professional, I know all too well the risks that harmful algae blooms carry for those of us just trying to cool off and enjoy ourselves at the lake. For our pets and our children, those risks can be particularly high.

posted by Nathaniel Baer on Thursday, August 8, 2019 The Iowa Environmental Council and Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) filed testimony from five expert witnesses last week identifying a wide range of significant concerns with Alliant's proposal. One of our biggest findings: coal no longer makes economic sense in Iowa.

posted by Ingrid Gronstal Anderson on Thursday, May 16, 2019 The influence of agricultural practices on drinking water quality continues to be of paramount concern for Iowa's environmental and public health. Over the last few years, much has been made of the urban/rural divide and industrial/municipal versus agricultural contributions to nutrient loading in our waterways.

posted by Jordan Oster on Thursday, May 2, 2019 As part of its emissions reduction goal, Des Moines could soon join a growing number of major U.S. cities to develop a ‘benchmarking' ordinance. Under the Building Performance Policy, the city's largest buildings would track and annually report data about their energy and water consumption.

posted by Jennifer Terry on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 Several weeks ago, our community learned of the terminal diagnosis of Bill Stowe, the CEO of Des Moines Water Works and a fearless champion of water quality issues. I had the privilege of working alongside Bill at Des Moines Water Works for a couple of years, as the lawsuit against northern Iowa drainage districts rolled through the legal system. I learned that the water quality policy space in Iowa is no place for the faint of heart.

posted by on Friday, February 15, 2019 With a few searches online, it is easy to get a taste of the contentious issue of wind turbines. But in recent years, wind energy has become the lowest cost source of new electricity – even without tax incentives. And the additional income source from wind easements can be significant for landowners. Where is the divide?

posted by Kerri Johannsen on Monday, June 18, 2018 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.

posted by Jennifer Terry on Saturday, June 16, 2018 Creating a recreational destination on Iowa's waterways is a feasible opportunity everyone should welcome. Read the opinion piece supporting the development of recreational water trails in the Greater Des Moines region, published in the Des Moines Register on June 14th. The piece was co-authored by Rick Tollakson, CEO and President of Hubbell Realty, and IEC Executive Director Jennifer Terry.

posted on Thursday, March 8, 2018 Guest blog by Katie Rock: At a time when people feel incredibly divided and polarized, some issues still resonate across the spectrum. In rural areas, these issues include eminent domain, farm profitability, and viable, vibrant rural communities. Another issue increasingly joining this group in Iowa is the widespread growth of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

posted on Thursday, March 1, 2018 The Visioning Task Force for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (LCSA or the Leopold Center) is in the process of wrapping up its work and passing along recommendations to Iowa State University and the LCSA Board, after listening to Iowans around the state at a series of meetings that took place from August through January.