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Energy Fact Sheets

The Iowa Environmental Council compiles and contributes to fact sheets on a variety of subjects related to clean energy. Find fact sheets on the topics below.

Solar | Wind | Electric Vehicles | Storage | Clean Communities 

Energy Policy | Energy Efficiency | Transmission 

Solar Fact Sheets

Solar energy has the potential to play a significant role in Iowa’s energy portfolio and has been gaining momentum in recent years with growth in solar projects statewide.

Solar Tax Incentives
Iowa can improve access to clean energy by expanding, improving and maintaining clean energy tax incentives for farmers, businesses, residents, utilities, and communities to own or invest in solar panels to generate their own clean energy.

Linn County Solar Projects
Linn County has arisen as an attractive location for renewable energy projects, such as utility-scale solar. In light of the public dialogue surrounding potential solar energy projects in Linn County, it is important to note that these projects can be co-beneficial in terms of economic and environmental benefits. The fact sheet provides an overview of existing projects in the area:

Wind Fact Sheets

Wind in Iowa: Past, Present, Future

Iowa is a national leader in wind energy, producing the highest percentage of electricity produced by wind – 60 percent (2021) – of any state. While Iowa’s wind leadership should be applauded, significant potential remains.

Perspectives on Waste: Wind Turbines

Waste from wind turbine repurposing has raised questions about the sustainability of wind power generation. Yet the non-toxic solid waste generated from wind turbine wind production is a fraction of the dangerous waste products and polluting emissions from coal plants operating in the state.

Wind Potential & Economic Impacts

In 2015, the Council partnered with the Iowa Wind Energy Association (IWEA) on its release of two reports. The first report, Iowa's Wind Potential for Addressing 111(d) Goals: The Potential for Tapping Iowa's Wind Resources to Reduce CO2 Emissions, was released in May 2015 and authored by wind industry experts Dan Turner, Ph.D., and Thomas A. Wind, P.E. The second report, Economic Impacts of Wind Energy in Iowa: Four Scenarios, was released in August 2015 and authored by Dave Swenson, an associate scientist in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University. Executive summaries for both reports are below. Full reports are available on the Energy Publications page.

Electric Vehicles in Iowa

Electric vehicles are the future for cleaner transportation nationwide. In Iowa, an increasing number of electric vehicles hit the road every year, growing demand for charging stations across the state. 

Energy Storage in Iowa

As Iowa continues the transition to clean energy resources, the ability to store renewable generation for use when the sun does not shine and the wind does not blow will be essential for achieving a carbon-free electrical grid. Storage makes a more resilient energy system, minimizing the impacts from events like the August 10, 2020 derecho. With expanding storage technology and the rapidly declining costs of storage, more utility, commercial and personal applications are being realized in Iowa.

Clean Communities

In early 2021, the City of Des Moines adopted a communitywide 24/7 carbon-free electricity resolution to transition the city's electricity away from fossil fuels by 2035. This resolution is thought to be the first of its kind nationwide. Since then, two other cities in Iowa have followed suit: Waterloo and Windsor Heights. Learn how 24/7 carbon-free energy differs from other clean energy pledges. 

Key Iowa Energy Policy Issues

Iowa is a national renewable energy leader, with high levels of wind energy, longstanding energy efficiency programs, and a growing solar market. But there is potential for much more. Iowa should secure its place as a renewable energy and energy efficiency leader for years to come and ensure that Iowa reaps the environmental and economic benefits from more clean energy.

Clean Energy Public Polling

A large majority of Iowans support increasing wind, solar and energy efficiency according to bipartisan poll conducted in 2014.

Iowa's Energy Efficiency Efforts

SF 2311 Impact on Utility Energy Efficiency Plans

Transmission Fact Sheets

Sufficient high-voltage transmission infrastructure that can carry significant additions of wind power and solar power will is necessary to continue clean energy growth and development.

Proposed Transmission Lines

The Cardinal-Hickory Creek line (also known as Dubuque to Madison or MVP 5) and Lakefield to Webster projects would help bring more clean energy on the grid and increase service reliability to homes and businesses.

Cardinal-Hickory Creek (Dubuque to Madison/MVP line 5)

Lakefield to Webster Project (MVP line 3)

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