Repower Iowa with Clean Energy
Too much of our energy comes from dirty sources that harm our environment. But by tapping the power of the sun and wind, and using less energy in the first place, we can repower our lives with clean energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out.
Repower Iowa with clean energy
Too much of our energy comes from dirty sources that harm our environment. But by tapping the power of the sun and wind, and using less energy in the first place, we can repower our lives with clean energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out.
With more wind and solar, we can move to 100% clean energy
Iowa relies on coal to satisfy up to 85% of our energy needs. Coal is one of the dirtiest forms of energy production, releasing a host of dangerous pollutants — including mercury, soot, smog and carbon dioxide.
We are surrounded by clean energy options — the power of the sun, the movement of wind, the heat of the earth, even the energy leaking from drafty windows in our homes and businesses. By using energy more efficiently and tapping our vast renewable energy resources, we can move to 100% clean energy that doesn’t pollute and never runs out.
Here in Iowa, we have the wind, solar and biomass resources to produce enough power to meet 17 times our state’s electricity needs. Renewable energy will bring environmental benefits compared to fossil fuels — reducing soot, smog and global warming pollution.
Efficient buildings will spur energy savings
America’s homes are like cars that only get 10 miles to the gallon. Buildings consume 40% of America’s energy, and much of that energy is literally flying out the window rather than heating or cooling our homes and businesses. What’s worse, energy-wasting buildings are responsible for nearly half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Millions of Americans are already weather-stripping doors and windows, insulating attics and making their homes more energy efficient and thus healthier, more comfortable and less costly to heat and cool.
If everyone makes these small changes, they can really add up — to 334 million fewer metric tons of global warming pollution emitted each year, the equivalent of taking 65.5 million cars off the road. The average family could save up to $400 on their utility bills.
Visit our guide, “Plug Into Clean Energy,” for tips on how to give your home an efficiency upgrade.
Key Facts
Between now and 2020, a 20% renewable energy standard and increased investments in improved efficiency programs would:
- Create an average of 3,000 new jobs annually
- Increase total wages an average of $42 million per year
- Cumulatively save consumers over $1 billion on energy costs