Iowa Environmental Council

Did you know: ✔ Every one of Iowa's 99 counties has solar projects installed that benefited from the Iowa upfront solar tax credit? (That's 9,819 projects and counting!) ✔ Iowa ranks 16th among U.S. states in the technical potential for solar energy production? ✔ Iowa produces the highest percentage of electricity by wind of any state (64.7 percent!) ✔ Wind turbines generate $72 million annually in lease payments to landowners in Iowa. ✔ More than 5,000 jobs and 130 companies across the state are supported directly by the clean energy industry. Check out even more clean energy statistics in our newly updated solar and wind energy fact sheets: https://lnkd.in/gJtDkMaQ

These new trading cards from our Clean Up MidAm campaign highlight statistics — but not the fun ones you'd find on sports cards or Pokemon cards. Instead, these cards highlight the health and environmental costs of MidAmerican’s reckless choice to burn coal across our state. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gGwk-gke Starting statistics: 👎 In Ottumwa, MidAmerican owns a coal plant that includes 132 acres of coal ash sites along the Des Moines River. 👎 The George Neal South Coal Plant cost Iowans over $21 million in excess costs from 2021 to 2023. Meanwhile, MidAmerican’s profits are rising and residents are stuck with the highest asthma rate in Iowa. 👎 The George Neal North Coal Plant features four toxic coal ash sites covering 115 acres along the Missouri River. 👎 The Walter Scott Jr. Coal Plant in Council Bluffs includes toxic coal ash sites covering 377 acres — all near the Missouri River. It’s no wonder there are elevated levels of cancer-causing arsenic. 👎 The Louisa Coal Plant is responsible for 40 premature deaths and 420 asthma attacks every single year. MidAmerican knows that a combination of wind, solar, and batteries can provide reliable energy that doesn’t harm Iowans. Join IEC and our partners in asking, "What's the plan, MidAm?"

Have you heard? IEC is hiring a new Water Program Manager! The Water Program Manager will conduct outreach, education, advocacy, and coalition-building to build momentum for actions at the state, local, and corporate levels that will lead to clean, safe, and resilient lakes, rivers, and streams. We are eager to fill this critical position to ensure all Iowans have clean water, today and in the future. Join us - a committed team in a great professional atmosphere 🌊 Check out the job description below and reach out to Sarah Green (Green@iaenvironment.org) with questions.

We're honored to host Dr. Lawrence Haddad for a special lecture on the intersections of climate and nutrition. Join IEC, The Harkin Institute, and The World Food Prize Foundation from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on October 31, at the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center at Drake University, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines. Dr. Haddad is the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and 2018 World Food Prize Laureate. The event is free and open to the public; however space is limited so pre-registration is required. Special thanks to our partners and sponsors: Drake Epsilon Eta, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Global Greens, and Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC). Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/geahCApi

We'll be tuning in next week for the The Gazette | Cedar Rapids' fantastic Iowa Ideas conference (and not just because several of our team members are presenting during the Energy & Environment track). Iowa Ideas is always a dynamic exploration of topics that are important to Iowans' lives and wellbeing. This is a free, virtual event open to the public. Check out the full line-up at iowaideas.com.

With protections from #Swampbuster - a federal conservation practice - wetlands are preserved on agricultural lands. A new lawsuit brought to a U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Iowa is challenging the legality of Swampbuster. This lawsuit seeks to invalidate them, with no state-level program to fall back on if the programs cease. Losing the Swampbuster protection could mean losing all benefits of #wetlands on a farmer's land, including #erosion control, reduced runoff and #flood risk, critical #habitat for native species, and more. Learn more about this case at iaenvironment.org.

Iowa's modern electricity system is a massive and complex network of power sources and transmission lines. Many Iowans understand the fundamentals of how the system works yet desire to have a better understanding of the many features which constitute what some have called "the largest machine in the state." IEC's Energy Policy Counsel Steve Guyer here presents an explanation of how the energy system works, the challenges and opportunities Iowa faces, and where we go from here. Join us for a free webinar and Q&A on Tuesday October 22nd from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon to learn more. Join the Zoom or tune in on Facebook Register here: https://lnkd.in/gf-JMd-c

Thank you to the advocates, professionals, students, speakers, sponsors, and our amazing IEC members who engaged in the first-ever Iowa Environmental Education Week, a partnership between IEC and The Harkin Institute. The outstanding response to this event series shows that Iowa's environmental community is strong, informed, and serious about making positive change. Here are just a few highlights from a memorable week: ✅ Des Moines Water Works CEO Ted Corrigan and laboratory staff guided two tours of the impressive Water Works facility for IEC's staff, Board, and partners. We were honored to host Bruno Pigott, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, former Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom, and folks from Heartland Co-op, Polk County, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. ✅ More than 225 people registered for the IEC Annual Conference at Drake University. An impressive line-up of speakers and panelists focused on some of today's most urgent environmental topics, including cancer and the environment, coal impacts in Iowa, renewable energy myth-busting, and more. Keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin Pauli provided critical insights into the Flint, Michigan water crisis and the intersections of environmental justice and democracy. ✅ The Harkin Institute's conference, Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Environment, and Public Health, featured policy, health, and agriculture experts examining topics related to industrial farm animal production. It also included special welcome addresses from former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, journalist Eric Schlosser, and IEC's own Executive Director Sarah Green. ✅ PRO H2O, IEC's annual celebration of the continued fight for clean water, wrapped up Iowa Environmental Education Week. Guests gathered for a sunset event on the beautiful terrace of the State Historical Museum of Iowa to connect and share ways to keep the momentum going. See the full event line-up, including links to recordings of some sessions: https://lnkd.in/eyrauUww

🌟 Speaker Spotlight: Charlie Wishman 🌟 We’re excited to welcome Charlie Wishman, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, to the IEC Annual Conference happening TODAY! Charlie has been a tireless advocate for working people, championing labor rights across Iowa and beyond. As President of the Iowa Federation of Labor since 2020, Charlie has been at the forefront of key labor issues, including workers’ compensation, workforce development, and more. His leadership extends to multiple boards and committees, where he continues to fight for the rights of working people. Join us to hear Charlie’s powerful insights on how we can build collective power and create meaningful change for workers and communities. 🎟️ Register now: https://lnkd.in/gbuQSVRx #IECConference #LaborRights #UnionStrong #WorkingPeople #Leadership #IowaStrong #AFL_CIO #IowaEnvironmentalCouncil

🌟 Speaker Spotlight: Katie Garvey🌟 We are excited to welcome Katie Garvey, Staff Attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center Chicago, to the IEC Annual Conference on September 24th! Katie is dedicated to keeping the Midwest’s waters clean and safe, particularly from agricultural runoff. Her impressive legal background includes internships with Judge Lawrence M. McKenna and Food & Water Watch, as well as serving as Membership Editor for the Northwestern University Law Review. Before joining ELPC, Katie was a litigator at Sidley Austin, where she handled complex cases and enforcement actions across the country. Her commitment to justice earned her the Morsch Award and the Northern District of Illinois’ Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service. 📅 Date: September 24, 2024 📍 Location: Drake University, Des Moines 🎟️ Register now to secure your spot at the conference: https://lnkd.in/gbuQSVRx See you there! #IECConference #EnvironmentalLaw #WaterProtection #IowaLand #CleanWater #MidwestEnvironment #IowaEnvironmentalCouncil