Recent Blogs - 2023

posted by Cody Smith on Monday, December 18, 2023 In 2020, the Iowa Legislature adopted a "right-of-first-refusal" provision for transmission line projects; on December 4th 2023, a district court declared this provision unconstitutional. What now?

posted by Alicia Vasto on Friday, December 8, 2023 Alicia Vasto traveled to Arkansas to attend this year's Gulf Hypoxia Task Force meeting in person to present comments. What she saw and heard reveals no surprises about why nothing seems to change when it comes to fertilizer pollution in Iowa, the Mississippi River Basin, or the Gulf of Mexico.

posted by Guest Blogger on Monday, November 27, 2023 Earlier this month, Veronica Ung-Kono of the National Wildlife Federation presented to IEC and other members on the importance of equity in planning transmission projects to ensure a just energy transition. In a guest blog piece, Ung-Kono reflects on the pitfalls and successes of electric grid construction throughout our country's history to tease out lessons for equity for future development.

posted by Guest Blogger on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 In this guest blog, Dr. Jacqueline Comito shares the results of a study on water perceptions in Iowa. The data reveals an ongoing issue: while most Iowans are aware of water quality problems, there is little clarity or expectation about who should fix it.

posted by Jordan Bles on Friday, November 3, 2023 When I started at IEC in 2019, one of my first lunch meetings was with Jennifer Garst. She was someone who I knew a little bit about - her legacy through Whiterock Conservancy, her former board service to the Iowa Environmental Council, and her history of generous donations. What I didn't know was that Jennifer's spirit of giving extended well beyond her monetary support of IEC, and that this was just the first of many meetings that I would start to greatly look forward to.

posted by Jordan Oster on Thursday, October 26, 2023 IEC recently took a group of state legislators on tours of Burlington and Ottumwa to see the benefits communities are seeing by going solar and adding energy efficiency.

posted by Michael Schmidt on Friday, August 25, 2023 The EPA recently denied two petitions seeking stronger rules governing concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) filed by national and local environmental groups. IEC Staff Attorney Michael Schmidt explains the petitions, the ruling, and what it means for future CAFO rules in Iowa.

posted by Kristen Weaverling on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 One year ago, the nation celebrated the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - marking the largest-ever federal investment in climate action. Join us in celebrating this landmark bill, and learn more about what's in store for Iowa thanks to this historic law.

posted by Kerri Johannsen on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 In 2023, the Iowa legislature adopted HF 617, which requires the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to undertake a review of utility ratemaking laws in Iowa and recommend changes at the start of the 2024 legislative session. In this post, IEC shares what we and our coalition partners are seeking to gain for Iowa ratepayers by engaging in this process.

posted by Angelisa Belden on Thursday, August 3, 2023 A roadtrip to get photos of an ongoing toxic algae bloom reinforced the need to expand water quality advisory signage to protect ALL Iowans.