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.”

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Home Address: 303 East St., P.O. Box 76, Mount Auburn, IA, 52313