Repowering America with clean energy

Ambitious goals in 2009 and beyond

In October, the clean energy tax credits that Environment Iowa pushed in 2008 finally became law. We have since turned our attention to making sure that the new president and Congress pass a comprehensive energy plan that will cut dependence on oil and reduce global warming. Together with our allies, we’re getting behind a bold plan to repower America. We’re calling for 100 percent renewable electricity and reducing America’s dependence on oil 50 percent.

Saving energy through high-performance and even zero-energy homes and businesses, like those at the EcoVillage in Fairfield, can cut overall energy use by at least 30 percent. Energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but we also need new sources of clean, renewable homegrown energy.

Concentrated solar power in the Southwest and in cities across America and wind power offshore and on land could provide the power we need to meet our electricity needs and even help meet our transportation requirements. Exciting new breakthroughs are being made every day to extend the reach of today’s technologies.

Political momentum

Environment Iowa worked to persuade then President-elect Barack Obama and incoming members of the 111th Congress to commit to the following principles: 100 percent renewable electricity, cutting global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050, and cutting oil use in half.

We laid the groundwork by going door-to-door and activating our e-mail list to build support for the plan. We used the media to make the case for what is possible at the federal level by pointing to what we’ve been able to accomplish here in Iowa and across the country. We enlisted the support of scientists, business leaders and entrepreneurs to stand up to the opposition from the oil, gas and coal industries.

Politically, the winds of change are blowing in our direction. President Obama pledged during this campaign to invest $150 billion in clean, renewable energy. As candidates for the Senate seats they now hold, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and many others made investment in clean energy a centerpiece of their campaigns.

We expect that our federal delegation will lobby their fellow members hard on global warming and clean energy legislation.  

Iowa leads the nation by producing 5.5 percent of its electricity from renewables. Now with renewed clean energy incentives, the goal is to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity.