IEC in the Press

Media

For press inquiries, please contact IEC Director of Marketing and Communications Bethany Kohoutek at kohoutek@iaenvironment.org.

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See below for media stories that include research, data, or quotes from the Iowa Environmental Council:

September 2025

• Iowa utilities must 'rapidly' make use of Biden-era tax credits to reach emissions goals, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Iowa beach advisories hit decade high after rain-fueled bacteria spikes, The Gazette
• Ottumwa residents voice concerns over amended wastewater treatment plan, KTVO
• DNR holds public hearing on Ottumwa Generating Station permit, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Iowa DNR nears a decision about a controversial permit for a coal plant in Ottumwa, Iowa Public Radio
• Environmentalists concerned over possible toxic substances entering Des Moines River, KYOU News
• Public hearing set to discuss wastewater permit for plant near Ottumwa, Ottumwa Radio
• Water pollution fight in Iowa hits a snag as EPA removes rivers from 'impaired' list, Sentient Media
• Iowa environmental advocates say PERMIT Act would harm Iowa's water quality, Channel 5

August 2025

• Experts commend Iowa's new water quality initiative, but say buffer strips alone won't fix the state's problems, The Gazette
• The battle over polluted water beneath an Iowa coal ash landfill, Inside Climate News
• As Iowans wrestle with polluted waters, politics gets in the way, The New Lede
• Iowa groups tell congressional delegation bill would 'gut' Clean Water Act, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• 'Clearly misguided': Experts condemn EPA's decision to rescind the expansion of Iowa's impaired water list, The Gazette
• US agency sparks backlash after rolling back regulation protecting thousands of Americans: 'An affront to health and well-being,' The Cool Down
• Iowa nonprofit loses nearly $2 million for environmental projects, Iowa Public Radio
• Environmental group seeks to intervene in Agri Star case following Iowa Attorney General settlement, The Gazette
• Des Moines Water Works opposes EPA decision to rescind impaired waters designations, Iowa Capital Dispatch 
• Wildfires in Iowa? Experts say it's an overlooked threat, The Gazette
• EPA removes Iowa rivers from impaired waters list despite high nitrate levels, We Are Iowa
• Locals raise concerns over high cancer rates in Iowa, cite environmental causes at public listening session, Carrol Times Herald
• Iowa's cancer rates soar: Black Hawk County residents speak out, KWWL
• Black Hawk county residents discuss cancer concerns during event, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
• Trump's EPA rescinds impaired listing for Des Moines, Raccoon rivers amidst water crisis, Des Moines Register
• Des Moines banned lawn watering, but polluted tap water keeps flowing: Inside Iowa's nitrate problem, Sentient Media
• Iowa cancer listening session hosted in Sioux City, KTIV
• Cancer listening tour makes stop in Sioux City, KCAU
• Cancer a growing concern in Montgomery County, The Red Oak Express

July 2025

• The link between Iowa's worsening water quality and rising cancer rate, Iowa Starting Line
• Des Moines banned lawn watering, but polluted tap water keeps flowing: inside Iowa's nitrate problem, Sentient Media
• Researchers embark on quest to find the cause of cancer crisis plaguing US region: 'It's scary,' The Cool Down
• "Sioux City has an air quality problem" according to Iowa Environmental Council air monitoring network, KTIV
• Homeowners collecting data on air quality in Sioux City, KCAU
• Iowa's high cancer rates prompt statewide effort to listen to residents' personal stories, KMTV
• Voices for change: Iowans join forces to tackle the state's cancer crisis, Decorah News
• State groups host cancer listening sessions in SW Iowa, KMALand
• Public cancer listening sessions coming to Northwest Iowa, KTIV
• What's behind Iowa's cancer crisis? Iowa Starting Line
• Environmental groups say Iowa coal plant is seeking 'unlawful' wastewater permit, Iowa Capital Dispatch

June 2025

• As nitrate levels soar in Iowa, new research underscores risks for babies, The New Lede
• Polk County report: Majority of central Iowa water pollution tied to farming, Des Moines Register
• New initiative to focus on link between the environment and cancer in Iowa, WQAD
• 'Cancer is just everywhere': could farming be behind Iowa's unfolding health crisis? The Guardian
• Millions of hogs, millions without clean water: how the EPA failed Iowa, Forbes
• Documentary focuses on MidAmerican's coal plants south of Sioux City, Sioux City Journal
• Report: Iowans face higher costs under House budget's cuts to clean energy incentives, Des Moines Register

May 2025

• Federal judge dismisses suit that threatened wetlands on farmland nationwide, Chicago Tribune
• Swampbuster case dismissed by federal judge, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Judge rejects Iowa landowner's challenge of federal wetlands protections, The Gazette
• Federal judge dismisses Iowa landowner's challenge to linkage of aid, wetland protections, Des Moines Register
• Federal judge upholds wetlands conservation law known as 'swampbuster,' Iowa Public Radio
• How some cities and organizations are continuing to fight against climate change, Iowa Public Radio
• Iowa bill would require lead water line disclosure, Public News Service
• Iowa’s wetlands are at risk, The Gazette

April 2025

• In this conservative state, the wind is too strong for politics to slow it down, Vox
• ‘Swampbuster’ case over wetland conservation rules heard in federal court, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Feds: Iowa wetlands lawsuit stemmed from haywire talks between landowner, USDA, The Gazette
• Farmers head to court to protect wetlands against suit by Chicago investor and two law firms, Chicago Tribune
• Iowa landowner's lawsuit taking aim at longstanding wetlands rule could have sweeping effect, Des Moines Register
• Some Iowans urging lawmakers to stop pesticide bill from advancing, KGAN Cedar Rapids
• Iowa Environmental Council launches project on relationship between cancer and environment, Iowa Capital Dispatch

March 2025

• Iowa's polluted waterways rarely see improvement. Lawmakers still resist efforts to regulate industrial ag, The Gazette
• Iowa's clean energy powerhouse potential, The Gazette
• Environmental groups to sue Alliant claiming groundwater pollution, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• No decision yet from EPA on NE Iowa drinking water, The Gazette
• ITC Midwest forward with Upper Midwest’s first 765-kV transmission line, The Gazette

February 2025

• Nonprofits supporting farmers and climate solutions look for backup plans in case federal funds fall short, Iowa Public Radio
• Study shows ash disposal at Iowa coal plants leads to contaminated groundwater, Iowa Capital Dispatch

January 2025

• As EPA considers cancer links to nitrates in drinking water, industry downplays the risks, US Right to Know
• A Midwest farmland owner tests a longstanding conservation law called 'swampbuster,' Harvest Public Media
• Should Des Moines, Raccoon, other Iowa rivers be on impaired list? DNR objects to EPA move, Des Moines Register
• 'Black eye' for Iowa over nitrate in rivers, but experts predict little change, The Gazette
• Conservation advocates find 'radical collaboration' gets things done, The Gazette
• Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway operates the dirtiest set of coal-fired power plants in the US, Reuters
• Community members decry Des Moines' decision to eliminate sustainability program, Des Moines Register
• Confronting cancer concerns: agriculture in Iowa, KWWL
• Some Des Moines programs in limbo after city cuts is sustainability office amid budget shortfall, KCCI
• Des Moines lays off employees, ends sustainability program overseeing climate action plan, Des Moines Register
• Des Moines residents speak out after city eliminates Office of Sustainability, We Are Iowa

• Here First: The City of Des Moines has decided to lay off the sustainability office, Iowa Public Radio morning podcast

• Des Moines residents express frustration over sustainability office cuts, KCCI

December 2024

• Union of Concerned Scientists pushes for wetland protections in Farm Bill, Iowa Capital Dispatch

November 2024

• EPA again flags Cedar River as impaired, raises questions about nitrates in drinking water, The Gazette

• EPA: Iowa needs to add more rivers to impaired water list, including in Des Moines, Des Moines Register

• Iowa clean energy groups see ‘uncertainty’ in second Trump presidency, The Gazette

• Over next 20 years, MidAmerican plans big investments in solar, natural gas power plants, Des Moines Register

• Iowa business groups call for electric rate reform, The Gazette

• Ag pollution is keeping Des Moines Water Works Busy. Can It Keep Up? Inside Climate News

October 2024

• Group calls on Sioux City Council for increased air monitoring of coal-fired plants, Sioux City Journal
• Sioux City group calls for more air quality testing near coal-fired plant, Siouxland Public Media
• Concerned citizens speak out about coal pollution at Sioux City City Council, KTIV
• Iowa environmental groups seek to intervene in 'swampbuster' lawsuit, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Study: Iowa sees progress toward wind and solar but still relies too much on coal, Radio Iowa

September 2024

• Report: Iowa ‘uniquely positioned’ to have carbon-free electricity by 2035, Iowa Capital Dispatch

• Iowa researchers seeing if 'grassways' curb erosion, improve water quality, The Gazette
• We've seen the consequences of CAFOs up close. Let's talk about solutions, Des Moines Register
• Groups question utility changes, Sioux City Journal
• Critics: Draft rule weakens clean energy claims, Mason City Globe Gazette
• Koch acquisition of Wever, Iowa fertilizer plant raises concerns for Iowa farmers, The Algona Reminder
• Iowa State producing fruits, vegetables, and electricity all in the same field, WHO13
• Driftless group sues to block Winneshiek manure digester, The Gazette
• Addressing Climate-related Health Risks at the Local Level, CDC Foundation

August 2024

• Critics: Utility panel's draft rule weakens clean energy claims, Sioux City Journal
• Iowa Environmental Education Week events set, Daily Gate City
• Iowa: National hub for food, energy?, The Gazette
• When will Iowa do more about the Nishnabotna River fiasco?, Des Moines Register
• Critics: Iowa utility panel's rule weakens clean energy, Sioux City Journal
• Wind turbines not a threat, study shows, Clinton Herald
• Swim warnings on track to eclipse previous years, The Gazette

July 2024

• Call it what you want, Iowa's climate reckoning is here, The Gazette
• Could the Mississippi River benefit from Chesapeake Bay's strategy to improve water quality?, Iowa Public Radio
• A look into the Iowa Environmental Council, The Southeast Iowa Union

June 2024

• 'Fecal soup' could be lurking in Iowa floodwaters, health experts warn, ABC News
• NextEra CEO says he’d ‘consider’ restarting Duane Arnold nuclear power plant, The Gazette
• Group says air quality monitoring insufficient, Council Bluffs Dailey Nonpareil
• Editorial: Disastrous figures show the poverty of Iowa's water quality approach, Atlantic News-Telegraph
• A rarity: no state beaches have swim warnings, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Increase of drainage tile fuels nutrient pollution, The Gazette

May 2024

• Iowa DNR seeks harsher penalties in massive Nishnabotna spill that killed 750,000 fish, Des Moines Register
• Possible new EPA rules weighed by area farmers, officials, Dubuque Telegraph Herald
• Environmental group report claims coal power plant causing illness in western Iowa, Radio Iowa
• Environmental groups say northwest Iowa coal plans causing more illness, KJAN FM
• Report shows higher rates of respiratory issues, heart disease near MidAmerican's northwest Iowa coal plants, Iowa Public Radio
• MidAmerican's energy demand will double by mid-2030s, fueled by data center, AI demand, Des Moines Register
• Iowa leaps state regulators, calls on EPA for emergency water help, Public News Service

April 2024

• Groups seek EPA help to curb groundwater pollution, Dubuque Telegraph Herald
• Minnesota's actions foreshadow potential farm regulations in Iowa, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Understanding environmental justice in rural communities, Forbes
• IEC comments on new EPA coal plant pollution rules, River Cities Reader
• EPA must protect safe drinking water in Iowa, Bleeding Heartland
• Environmental groups want EPA to intervene in Northeast Iowa drinking water nitrates problem, Progressive Farmer
• Iowa tightens foreign-owned land law, but misses farmers' main concern: access to land, Des Moines Register
• Iowa 911, Marshalltown Times-Republican
• EPA called to address "long-ignored health crisis" in Iowa drinking water, The New Lede
• Environmental groups petition EPA to force Iowa to tackle livestock water pollution, Des Moines Register
• Iowa environmental groups file emergency petition with EPA over nitrate levels in drinking water, KCRG
• Iowa environmental groups ask EPA to protect drinking water from agricultural runoff, Gazette
• Iowa joins nationwide network of EV charging stations, KMAland
• Iowans would lose ability to sue pesticide makers over labeling under GOP proposal, Gazette
• Massive Iowa fish kill draws paltry fine, Gazette
• Iowa debates controversial bill limiting legal accountability of pesticide companies, Iowa's News Now

March 2024

• Iowa fertilizer spill kills nearly all fish across 60-mile stretch of rivers, New York Times (PDF)
• A power line debate pits environmental allies against each other in the Upper Midwest, Inside Climate News
• View from my window: Cancer Awareness Month was February (and always), Greene County News Online
• Iowa bill would create legal immunity for pesticide manufacturers, Gazette
• House advances proposal prohibiting DNR from purchasing land at auctions, Iowa's News Now
• US counties are blocking the future of renewables: These maps, graphics show how, Des Moines Register

February 2024

• Iowa primed for potentially 'epic' increase in stream pollution, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Gov. Reynolds' opposition to CAFO rule threatens waterways, Little Village
• Iowa's Capitol is awash in bad bills for water quality, Gazette
• Report: Rooftop solar systems becoming more popular in Iowa, Gazette
• State Revolving Funds: Investing in Iowa's Water, River Cities Reader
• Bill would allow feedlots to operate with unapproved manure plans, Iowa Capital Dispatch
• Local governments block green energy: Here's how USA Today measured the limits nationwide, USA Today

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