--- [log in to unmask] wrote:
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 14:18:15 EST
> Subject: RA2K3 Iowa Values Fund Renewable Energy
> Plan
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
>
>> Vilsack Announces Iowa Values Fund Renewable
> Energy Plan
> >
> > DES MOINES - Saying renewable energy has the
> potential to fuel the
> > transformation of Iowa's economy and provide
> substantial economic benefits
> > to the state, Governor Tom Vilsack today outlined
> his plan for $50 million
> > in state investments in renewable energy as a part
> of his proposed Iowa
> > Values Fund.
> >
> > The Governor said his plan will not only help Iowa
> become more energy
> > independent, but also will create jobs and spur
> business investment
> > throughout the state.
> >
> > "Renewable energy can help fuel the transformation
> of Iowa's economy,"
> > Governor Vilsack said.  "Iowa currently spends $4
> billion per year on
> energy
> > imported from out of state.  We need to keep that
> money in Iowa.  We can
> do
> > that if we tap into Iowa's natural potential to
> become a leader in
> renewable
> > energy.  The economic benefits could be
> substantial."
> >
> > "Energy projects tend to spur additional business
> investments in the
> > surrounding area that create jobs in a variety of
> fields.  We need to
> pursue
> > an aggressive strategy for renewable energy
> development.  This could be
> the
> > spark that will light a fire under the Iowa
> economy."
> >
> > The $50 million for renewable energy will be
> designated for the following
> > initiatives:
> >
> > * $10 million to help school districts use wind
> technology to
> > produce renewable energy;
> >
> > * $5 million to the Iowa Energy Center to
> construct
> > distributed small renewable energy systems;
> >
> > * $10 million to encourage the use of
> biomass-powered
> > electrical systems;
> >
> > * $5 million for grants to purchase and install
> anaerobic
> > digestive systems;
> >
> > * $10 million for grants and loans to develop
> transmission and
> > distribution systems for wind energy;
> >
> > * $10 million for constructing wind generation
> facilities.
> >
> > Governor Vilsack's plan will also help schools
> become more energy
> efficient
> > by allowing older, less energy efficient schools
> to pay for infrastructure
> > and upgrading costs with energy savings spread out
> over time.
> >
> > "This is a win-win situation," Vilsack said.
> "Energy efficient schools
> use
> > less energy and save money."
> >
> > Vilsack pointed to escalating gas prices and the
> country's growing
> > dependence on foreign oil as further evidence of
> the critical need for
> Iowa
> > to develop renewable energies and become energy
> independent.
> >
> > The Governor will travel Tuesday, March 11 to
> Decorah, Mason City and
> > Webster City to discuss his renewable energy
> initiative and other key
> > components of the Iowa Values Fund with community
> leaders.
> >
> > During today's press conference, the Governor also
> voiced support for
> > federal legislation to establish a renewable fuels
> standard, which was
> > reintroduced in February in the United States
> Senate by Senators Tom
> Daschle
> > (D-SD) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE).
> >
> > Governor Vilsack is a member of the Governors'
> Ethanol Coalition, which
> > discussed the legislation during the recent
> National Governors Association
> > meetings in Washington, D.C.  The legislation
> maintains key provisions of
> a
> > bill passed in 2002 by the United States Senate,
> including a 5-billion
> > gallon renewable fuel requirement, elimination of
> the federal RFG oxygen
> > standard, and banning the fuel additive MBTE
> within four years.
> >
> > ####
> >
> >  <<Renewable Energy RELEASE 3-10-03.doc>>
> >
> >
>

>


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