CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Linn County Board of Supervisors denied a rezoning application for the proposed Morgan Valley Energy Center in a unanimous 3-0 vote last night. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, is proposing three single-cycle gas-fired power plants in Linn County. The … [continued]
Letter Calls for Credible, Enforceable Provisions in any Taxpayer-Funded Package DES MOINES, Iowa – In a letter to Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter is urging state officials to ensure any taxpayer-funded incentive package for Mesabi Metallics’ steel mill must include provisions that benefit the public, not just an unconditional … [continued]
Today, Iowa environmental groups sued the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for approving permits that allow hazardous disposal practices at the Ottumwa coal ash landfill, which holds waste from the Ottumwa coal-burning power plant co-owned by Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy. Toxic discharge from the coal plant pollutes Iowa’s groundwater and … [continued]
As War in Iran Drives Push for Energy Security, Energy Storage Forecast Revised Upwards over Next Five Years WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. energy storage industry installed 9.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of new capacity in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest first quarter in the sector’s history. According to the … [continued]
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rolling back protections that stop coal-burning power plants from dumping toxic wastewater—including arsenic, mercury, selenium, and lead—from coal ash waste landfills into U.S. waterways. The discharge of coal ash wastewater has been an issue at Iowa coal plants, including in Sioux City on … [continued]
This odd battle has been going on for so long that I had actually forgotten about it. There’s a quirk in some US state laws that they require automobiles to be sold through 3rd party auto dealers. That is actually rooted in something, in some potential for consumer abuse identified … [continued]
Yesterday, I covered Donald Trump’s latest effort to pretend he’s king and violate states’ rights, an AI executive order. (Apologies if he’s already tried to act like king in some other way and I’ve missed that.) The executive order tries to force fossil fuel pollution on more people, among other … [continued]
West Union, Iowa installed a municipal geothermal system a dozen years ago.Today, it is a model for other communities across the US.
The deep red state of Iowa has long bucked the right-wing tide on energy policy. Despite its conservative slant on other matters, Iowa leads the US in biofuel production. It also tops all other states in percent of electricity generated by wind energy, at 59%. So, it’s no surprise to … [continued]
A new solar-powered, modular green ammonia system enables US farmers to cut fertilizer costs, stabilize supply chains, and compete against low-carbon goods in global markets.
