Energy News

Iowa Utilities Commission Rescinds Renewable Energy Verification Rules, Boosting Transparency

posted 10/17/2024
On October 17, 2024, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) made a key decision to improve utility transparency in the state by rescinding its outdated Renewable Energy Verification rules. Environmental advocates, including the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC), welcomed this move, which will prevent utilities from using the IUC to legitimize misleading claims about their renewable energy mix.

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Utilities Commission Approves Rate Increase as Alliant Requested

posted 9/18/2024
The Iowa Utilities Commission approved a settlement allowing Alliant Energy to increase its rates by $185 million per year today, while also requiring a planning process for future investments. The Iowa Environmental Council, the Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Sierra Club intervened to argue for better planning to transition to clean energy, as well as better protections for customers.

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Environmental Groups Push for Energy Transparency as IUC Reviews Renewable Verification Rules

posted 8/27/2024
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) voiced their support today for the Iowa Utilities Commission's (IUC) proposal to rescind its Renewable Energy Verification rules during a Commission hearing.

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Press Release - Data Shows Iowa Air Quality Monitoring is Insufficient to Protect Public Health

posted 6/17/2024
Too much of Iowa's asthma-causing pollution is going unmonitored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), especially in areas with susceptible populations, according to data from U.S. EPA's Environmental Justice screening and mapping tool. The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) submitted comments to the Iowa DNR urging increases and changes in the DNR's air monitoring stations, especially for large communities suffering from increased asthma rates.

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Environmental Groups Urge End to Misleading Renewable Verification Program

posted 5/21/2024
The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) filed comments today calling on the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to rescind its Renewable Energy Verification rules. Initially adopted in 2017, these rules have not kept up with changing clean energy goals, and utilities regularly use the rules to mislead the public.

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IEC laments rejection of state's Solar for All proposal

posted 5/10/2024
IEC is extremely disappointed that the state's Solar for All application for $75 million to support a statewide community solar program has been rejected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our state's leaders, specifically the legislature and the governor, need to step up to make climate action a priority and act quickly to stop Iowa from being left behind in the energy transition.

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New health report finds increased lung disease in Iowa coal communities

posted 5/7/2024
A new report from the Iowa Environmental Council examines the relationship between pollution from coal plants and lung disease in Woodbury County. Written in partnership with public health experts "Coal in Siouxland: MidAmerican Energy's Legacy of Air Pollution and Health Impacts" highlights how two coal-fired power plants plants in northwest Iowa operated by MidAmerican Energy harm the health of residents in Siouxland, the multi-state, three county region surrounding Sioux City, IA.

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IEC comments on new EPA coal plant pollution rules

posted 4/25/2024
EPA released new rules regarding coal plant pollution today (4/25). IEC is now analyzing the details of the rules, but in a statement today commend EPA for their recognition of coal plant pollution and its harms to Iowans.

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Iowans can soon unlock electrification & efficiency dollars with IRA home energy rebates

posted 1/25/2024
$120 million in rebates will be available to Iowa through the Home Energy Rebates in mid-2024. These will include Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) which offer point-of-sale rebates on qualified energy efficiency and electrification projects up to $14,000 for low- and moderate-income households. They also include HER - or Home Efficiency Rebates - for retrofit projects.

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Iowa Utilities Board releases ratemaking reform study

posted 1/11/2024
Last month, the Iowa Utilities Board provided a report to the legislature recommending updates to Iowa's laws for utility rates. This was the broad first review of Iowa's utility rate laws in nearly two decades and could lead to significant changes

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