Does anyone know if this amendment deals with the net metering issue. I
understand both Minnesota and Wisconsin have laws which limits the extreme
differential between wholesale and retail electricity costs for small
producers. See
http://www.newrules.org/electricity/netmetermn.html
Iowa needs a similar rule.
Eric G. Hurley

> This from Iowa Farmers' Union, encouraging an amendment to SF449 that would
> promote small, local wind production.
>
>
> Iowa Farmers Union is sending the letter below to Rep. Rants asking him to
> amend and support SF 449.  The amendment would provide incentives for
> farmers and small businesses to get into wind farming.  This would be a
> win-win amendment that promotes renewable energy and helps individuals to
> get into the business.
>
> You are encouraged to make calls and write letters in support of the "Small
> Wind" amendment.
>
> Thanks,
> Jackie
>
> The Honorable Christopher Rants
> Speaker of the House
> Iowa House of Representatives
> State Capitol
> Des Moines, IA  50319
>
> Dear Representative Rants:
>
> On behalf of the Iowa Farmers Union, I ask you to support sensible
> legislation relating to the production and use of renewable energy.
Senat> e
> File 449 should be amended to include incentives for local wind production.
>
> While much of the 2003 legislative session focused on revitalizing Iowa's
> economy, renewable energy is also very important.  Iowa's farmers and
smal> l
> businesses must be included revitalization efforts and opportunities.
One>
> such opportunity is "wind farming."
>
> Over the past several years, numerous wind farms have sprung up around the
> state. However, generating energy from the wind is a new and emerging
> opportunity for farmers and small businesses.  Farmers should be able to
> build wind turbines to meet their own energy needs and sell excess energy
> back to the power company.  This would have a positive economic impact on
> rural communities.
>
> Currently, the vast majority of wind farms are controlled by a handful of
> large electric companies.  These companies lease portions of land from
> farmers for their wind turbines.  Farmers could make more money by
> producing and selling electricity themselves rather than leasing their land
> to a large company.
>
> Iowa Farmers Union fully supports the use of wind as a clean and renewable
> source of energy.  It does not deplete any existing natural resources and
> is readily available on farm land across the state.  Wind farming has not
> yet reached its full potential in our state.  It is estimated that Iowa
> could produce more than 20 times its energy needs from the wind
> alone.  Supporting this type of development for farmers and small
> businesses would cause economic revitalization.
>
> The Iowa Legislature has already demonstrated its support for the utility
> and wind industry by passing SF 432. The Legislature's support and
> encouragement for small wind producers, Iowa's local landowners, has yet to
> be shown.  In order for the State Legislature to promote small, local
wind>
> production, SF 449 needs to be amended to provide a 2 cent tax credit per
> kilowatt hour for owners of wind farms that produce less than 3 Megawatts
> of electricity.
>
> I urge you to work for rural Iowans by amending and passing SF 449.
>
> Sincerely,
> Gary Hoskey
> IFU President
>
>
>
> Iowa Farmers Union
> PO Box 8988
> 528 Billy Sunday Rd
> Ames, IA  50014
> 800-775-5227
> [log in to unmask]
> www.iafu.org
>
>
>
> Erin E. Jordahl
> Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
> 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
> Des Moines, IA 50310
> 515-277-8868
> [log in to unmask]
> www.iowa.sierraclub.org
>
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