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http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080205/OPINION02/802050311/1018/OPINION


 

  Tuesday, February 5, 2008


  My global warming wish list for Iowa


  Mike Carberry 

  Guest Opinion

  You may call me greedy, but I want a lot from the current session of the Iowa General Assembly when it comes to clean energy and global warming solutions. You may look at them as a late Christmas present, New Year's resolutions and birthday present all rolled into one big package. Here are my personal priorities for the 2008 Iowa legislative session. They include (in no particular order):

  • Reduce global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050. Set greenhouse gas reduction goals based on scientific consensus. Iowa should ensure that greenhouse gas emissions peak now and then achieve a long-term goal of reducing emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Engage with other states in the Midwest to establish a market-based system to reduce greenhouse gases efficiently and effectively. Midwestern states can cap emissions, auction greenhouse gas permits and create a trading market to reduce emissions. A regional system is an effective way for states in the region to reduce emissions and will position the Midwest for action on future national policies.

  • Raise the Renewable Energy Standard, or RES, of 25 percent of total electrical sales in Iowa by 2025. This is the mechanism that initially forced Iowa utility companies to begin considering renewable energy and many think a prime reason that Iowa currently is fourth in wind-generated electricity. The old standard of 2 percent has been surpassed and no longer is effective. A new standard of 25 percent by 2025 now is achievable and consistent with national priorities. Short-term standards of 10 percent by 2010, 15 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020 also are needed. This is approximately 1 percent growth a year. Require a certain percentage of the standard to be purchased from locally owned renewable energy projects.

  • Encourage Community Owned Renewable Energy. Local ownership of our renewable energy infrastructure brings more benefits to the rural economy than outside corporate ownership. Much capacity currently exists on distribution lines in Iowa to supply clean energy. Legislation will require all utilities to offer a tariff that is modeled on the successful Minnesota Community Based Energy Development program, or C-BED, which sets rates that encourage local ownership of renewable energy. These smaller community-owned projects will be distributed across Iowa thereby utilizing the existing transmission grid eliminating the need for big expensive power lines.

  • Create an energy efficiency standard of 2 percent per year of total sales reduced for all utilities, including municipals, rural electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities in both the gas and electric sector. Iowa's utilities have made significant gains in implementing efficiency programs, but more can be done to realize the vast cost-effective potential of energy efficiency. Iowa has significant opportunities to reduce electricity use from energy efficiency, which is cheaper than alternatives like building new generation capacity.

  • Set up net billing and standardized interconnect. Net billing allows a producer of renewable energy to interconnect to the power line on their side of the meter and "run their electric meter both directions," the total usage being "netted" out at the end of each month. Most rural and municipal utilities currently do not offer net billing opportunities to their customers effectively denying them the ability to participate. In addition, inconsistent interconnection standards make it more difficult and expensive to install renewable energy. All utilities in Iowa will work with the Iowa Utility Board and interested parties and submit a simplified standardized net billing plan (tariff) that will encourage renewable energy net billing.

  • Permit no new coal-powered plants that do not permanently capture and sequester CO2 from day one. Iowa now faces two proposals for new coal-fired power plants. Compared to coal, renewable energy and energy efficiency offer significant economic benefits and support goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Iowa. Iowa must use renewable energy and energy efficiency, instead of coal, and the economic benefits from these opportunities are staggering.

  Given that this an election year, I might not get all of these requests but it never hurts to ask. The ones that I don't get this year surely will be on my list next year because they are things that really are needed not just wanted.

  Mike Carberry is a tree hugger and professional environmental advocate from Iowa City. 


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  -- 
  Mike Carberry

  Iowa Global Warming
  Senior Regional Field Director

  2029 Friendship St.
  Iowa City IA 52245

  Office:   319.338.8820
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