The Iowa Energy Plan was unveiled December 21 by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol. The official plan sets the state’s priorities and provides strategic guidance for Iowa’s energy future. Looking at Iowa’s energy needs over the next decade, the report provides 45 recommendations ranging from modernizing the state’s electric power grid to improving tax credits for solar energy.

Iowa’s new energy strategy envisions more renewable energy. It foresees electric car-charging stations across the state, anaerobic digesters that turn livestock manure to energy, and state and federal researchers finding ways to store wind and solar energy. Reynolds and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, said energy is key to economic development and job creation across the state, especially in rural areas. “We need to make sure Iowa remains a place where businesses and people want to call home,” said Durham.

Plan calls for Iowa to continue its lead in developing clean energy
It took over a year to develop the strategy. Reynolds and Durham worked with nearly 50 energy, business, farm and community leaders to put it together. It builds on Iowa’s leadership in energy research, wind generation, biofuel development and agricultural production. “Iowa has a tradition of leading the way on clean energy and this strategy continues that,” says Josh Mandelbaum, an attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Center. “There is a real chance to move Iowa forward.”

Iowa gets about 30% of its electricity from wind generation and is the leading producer of ethanol and biodiesel. The leading source of electricity generation in Iowa comes from coal. The report says Iowans have invested $85 million in solar projects in 92 counties since 2012. They received about $11 million in state tax incentives. “The tax incentive for solar energy development is working across the state,” says Mandelbaum. “It’s a small amount of money that has leveraged a lot of private investment.”

Iowa leads in biofuels and renewable energy, thanks to good planning
“Iowa is a leader in production of biofuels and renewable energy,” said Reynolds. “That leadership was achieved because of thoughtful planning. Creating a statewide energy plan will keep Iowa at the forefront of energy policy and allow our state to develop a path toward the future.”

Following the release of the plan, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) executive director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“IRFA appreciates Lt. Gov. Reynolds’ recognition of the role biofuels have played in powering Iowa’s economy. And we commend the Iowa Energy Plan for seeking to build on this foundation, as there is much more biofuels and biomass can do for Iowa in the future. Optimizing vehicles for biofuels and empowering consumers to choose higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel will be keys to unlocking this potential. We look forward to working with Lt. Gov. Reynolds to put this plan in action for the betterment of Iowa farmers, consumers and workers.”

Plan identifies emerging energy challenges and opportunities
Chaired by Reynolds, the Iowa Energy Plan was initiated to set state priorities and provide strategic guidance for Iowa’s energy future. The plan assesses current and future energy supply and demand, examines energy policies and programs and identifies emerging challenges and opportunities. The December 21 unveiling of the Iowa Energy Plan is a culmination of the year-long process that consisted of soliciting statewide public input via working groups and community forums and meetings with representatives from state agencies and industry associations and organizations.  

Leadership support for this initiative was provided by Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress (IPEP) board members and representatives from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). The statewide energy plan is built on four foundational pillars: Economic Development and Energy Careers, Iowa’s Energy Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency and Conservation.

Areas that could boost Iowa’s clean energy economy
The Iowa Energy Plan’s vision statement represents the collective understanding of Iowa’s ideal future in terms of its energy use and resources. The vision considers a planning horizon of 10 years, with 15 objectives and 45 strategies outlined in the 100-plus page report. During the planning process, the following themes were identified as key areas that could positively impact Iowa’s energy economy:

Energy development could bring prosperity to all 99 counties
“With job creation and increasing wealth for Iowans as our top priorities, it is critical that we understand the state’s energy assets, so to maximize Iowa’s energy opportunities,” said Reynolds. “Engaging with industry specialists to facilitate and conduct a comprehensive analysis of Iowa’s energy resources, assets and existing gaps, gives us a foundation of data on which to base an energy strategy development process that can bring economic prosperity to all 99 counties in Iowa.”

The Iowa Energy Plan was developed by Inova Energy Group, LLC with specialized project support from Elevate Energy and TEConomy Partners, LLC (formerly Battelle Technology Partnership Practice). Cost of the plan, estimated at approximately $500,000, will be paid by the IEDA and Iowa DOT. IEDA houses the Iowa Energy office, which coordinates a variety of state and federal programs related to energy. More information on the Iowa Energy Plan can be found at iowaenergyplan.org.