Friends,

Language that would ensure any merchant power plant (a plant that operates/pollutes in Iowa but sells electricity outside the state) must meet the same standards as an in-state investor-owned utility for renewable energy and energy efficiency has one more chance at being passed into law this session.  This language is vital to move our energy system forward toward clean, efficient energy that grows our state economy.  

The language was removed in a House Commerce Committee meeting, but the Senate has pledged to amend it back onto the bill (Senate File 544) when it goes to the Senate.  The House will then have a decision to either accept the language as amended, vote the bill down, or go to a conference committee.  We need to make sure the language is accepted as amended.  We need to contact Democratic House members that have opposed this language previously.  It is important to note that the amended language will be substantively the same as the investor-owned utilities are required to meet (the language will be changed from the original version that the House Commerce Committee removed, to meet some of the concerns raised by these legislators). 

We have chosen three representatives to contact (515) 281-3221 - 

Rep. Phil Wise (Keokuk) is a prominent member of the Ways and Means Committee.  Rep. Wise needs to be reminded that the development of wind-turbine manufacturing near his district (Siemens Engineering is bringing 250 new jobs to manufacture wind turbine blades) will be greatly enhanced by more development of wind energy rather than facilities that take up much needed transmission, such as merchant power plants. 

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Home Address: 503 Grand Avenue, Keokuk, IA, 52632
Home Telephone: 319-524-3643 

Rep. Dawn Pettengill’s district is in the immediate line of fire from the proposed merchant power plant in Waterloo, just to the southeast.  Her constituents will be getting the pollution.  The more biomass the plant is required to burn, the less pollution her constituents will be receiving.  Rep. Pettengill’s district is also partly covered by the Cedar Prairie Group of the Sierra Club, which means we represent members in her district (very important to note).  Past quotes from Dawn on the issue:

“I fully realize the importance of reducing the consumption of fossil-fueled energy resources.  It is crucial that we explore alternate sources of energy in order to avoid depleting our natural resources.  I support the research and implementation of alternate sources of energy such as wind power, hydropower, solar power, methane recovery, switch grass, and ethanol.

I also support increasing energy efficiency by ensuring that all homes in Iowa are weatherized, minimizing the loss of resources, requiring utility-sponsored efficiency programs to include home energy audits for all residential customers and rebates for energy-efficient appliances, and strengthening Iowa's residential building code to maximize fuel efficiency in all new constructions.

Under current law, utilities are required to purchase 2% of their energy from renewable sources - called a renewable portfolio standard (RPS).  I support increasing the RPS over the next several years.  The more we can utilize alternate sources of energy, the less we will be at risk for depleting our fossil fuels.” 

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Home Address: 303 East St., P.O. Box 76, Mount Auburn, IA, 52313

Finally, Representative Brian Quirk’s district is also partly covered by the Cedar Prairie Group of the Sierra Club.  He is a prominent member of the Ways and Means Committee.  All of the arguments above are equally applicable to Rep. Quirk. 

E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Home Address: 1011 Sunset, New Hampton, IA, 50659
Home Telephone: 641-394-4550

Thanks,
Mark
[log in to unmask]
319-621-7393

Mark Kresowik
Midwest Clean Energy Campaign
Sierra Club
[log in to unmask]
319-621-7393 (cell)
515-276-4690 (office)
515-251-4811 (fax)
3839 Merle Hay Road
Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310

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