Key state oversight position opening, qualified applicants needed now

A position on a key state board will be open soon, and qualified Iowans should submit applications at once.

The Environmental Protection Commission is one of two state panels with oversight authority for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  The EPC has a critical role to play in rulemaking for environmental protection and in hearing appeals for enforcement actions.  Here’s the official state description of the role:

[Members of the EPC] stablish policy, adopt rules, hear contested case appeals, approve or disapprove hazardous waste disposal sites, [and] approve budget for environmental, energy, geological, and administrative functions of the Department of Natural Resources.

Starting May 1, a position on this board will be open which is currently held by Diana Bruemmer of Davenport.  Ms. Bruemmer’s term expires April 30.  If you are an “elector of the state,” meaning a resident Iowan who can vote, you are eligible to apply for consideration to the Governor’s office and may do so right away.

The Governor’s office attempts to maintain a party registration and gender balance on boards and commissions like the EPC.  That means the successful candidate will likely be female and of no or Democratic party affiliation.

To learn more about the position and its responsibilities, and to apply, follow this link.  This is a very important position–we encourage you to share this listing widely with anyone who you think may be qualified to serve.

Environmental groups: Alliant Energy puts shareholder profits above its customers with lackluster efficiency plan

Last month, the Council’s energy program director, Nathaniel Baer, explained our involvement in supporting strong utility energy efficiency plans before the Iowa Utilities Board this year.  On April 16, the Council and our partners filed our first testimony concerning Alliant Energy.

Interstate Power & Light, a Cedar Rapids-based subsidiary of Alliant Energy, has proposed saving roughly half as much energy through efficiency initiatives as its own analysis suggests is possible, a coalition of environmental organizations told the Iowa Utilities Board in testimony filed Tuesday.   Their testimony, which marks the beginning of debate over Alliant’s five year energy efficiency plan, comes at the same time Alliant has proposed a new natural-gas fired power plant to be constructed near Marshalltown.

“Energy efficiency is the most cost effective method for meeting rising electric demand.  Alliant knows that one dollar spent on energy efficiency efforts can return as much as two or three dollars in economic benefit, but the company proposed pursuing less than half of the energy efficiency gains available to it,” said Nathaniel Baer, whose organization, the Iowa Environmental Council, participated in the filing with the Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Iowa Policy Project.

Indeed, a 2012 report by the Cadmus Group, a Massachusetts-based energy consulting firm, which was commissioned by Iowa utilities including Alliant, suggested Alliant could save over 2% of annual retail electric sales through cost-effective efficiency methods, while the utility has proposed saving just over 1%.

“When we considered the wide range of cost-effective efficiency opportunities available to Alliant, in addition to the utilities’ own analysis, it became clear to us that doubling Alliant’s proposed efficiency savings is readily achievable. The utility has an obligation to save as much energy as possible through its efficiency programs before it builds a new power plant,” said Josh Mandelbaum of the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

“Iowa Utilities Board leadership now is necessary to maintain the economic benefits and consumer savings from energy efficiency into the future,” Mandelbaum said.

Based on past programs Iowa has been recognized as a national leader in energy efficiency.  The state’s leadership has brought many benefits to Iowa utility customers, including keeping electric rates low, reducing the need for imported fossil fuels, keeping air and water clean, and providing jobs in communities across the state.

According to the environmental groups, a range of strong utility managed efficiency programs are the key to realizing efficiency’s potential for Iowa.  The groups’ testimony identified several ways Alliant can strengthen its program offerings:

• The industrial sector, the largest group of energy users, is of particular interest for efficiency gains.  Many industrial customers are good candidates for utilizing combined heat and power (CHP) technology to produce two types of energy they need from one generation source.  Significant potential for CHP is available in Iowa, including by other large institutional utility customers like colleges and hospitals.
• Alliant should not cancel its innovative program for customer-sited renewable energy installations like solar photovoltaic (PV) just as the program is gaining momentum with customers.
• Alliant should capitalize on the latest research on consumer behavior, which shows ratepayers are more motivated to save energy when they are made aware if their energy use exceeds their neighbors’.
• Alliant should support a transition to high-efficiency lighting including LED technology in its service territory as well as achieving efficiency gains in power-hungry data centers including those operated by large information technology companies as well as those in local businesses hospitals, colleges, and other institutions.

The environmental groups plan to address a similar range of efficiency programs offered by MidAmerican Energy in testimony to be submitted to the Iowa Utilities Board in June.  Proceedings to address and finalize both utilities’ five-year plans will continue through the summer.  The plans take effect next year.

Court ruling a boost to renewable energy partnerships

This map shows Iowa as one of the states not allowing 3rd party PPAs, but that has changed after a recent court ruling. (The map is maintained by the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency and NC State University. Source: http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/summarymaps/)

Like more and more Iowa business and communities, the City of Dubuque was interested in how a solar installation in their city could meet their energy needs.  While solar installations require little maintenance and can help bring rising energy costs under control, electric customers like Dubuque face a number of questions when deciding whether to go solar.

Could energy tax credit programs help the city reduce the cost of the solar installation?  Was there a way for Dubuque to enjoy the energy the solar panels provide without having to become an expert in solar operations and maintenance?

Late last month, an Iowa District Court ruling cleared the way for an important type of renewable energy partnership that can address those concerns.  This is also a victory for distributive energy, referring to locally controlled or owned energy sources.

Dubuque concluded that partnering with a local solar business, Eagle Point Solar, would allow it reduce the risk and upfront cost of installing the solar system. The City planned to enter into an agreement known as a third party power purchase agreement with Eagle Point Solar. Under the agreement, Eagle Point Solar would assume the responsibility of financing and installing the solar system on city property and the City would purchase the energy produced in a long-term contract.

Third party power purchase agreements are a popular way to manage solar projects in the many states where they are allowed, but the Dubuque project was the first time one had been attempted in Iowa.  The local electric utility objected to the agreement, and the Iowa Utilities Board ruled that it cannot proceed under Iowa law.

However, the Iowa Environmental Council and our allies recognize these agreements are a key option to have available to grow Iowa’s solar market, in addition to utility incentives and tax credits. The Iowa Environmental Council helped organize a Solar Coalition of state and national groups, represented by the Environmental Law & Policy Center, that supported Eagle Point Solar at the Iowa Utilities Board and then asked a judge to review the board’s decision.

Late in March, the Court overturned the Board’s interpretation of Iowa law, clearing the way for Iowa to join the other states allowing such agreements to support renewable energy development.

“Iowa has America’s 16^th best solar resource, and tapping into that is going to require innovative solutions like PPA’s,” said Nathaniel Baer, the Council’s energy program director.  “This ruling brings us closer to the conditions necessary for solar to play a bigger role in our state.”

The Council and its solar partners welcome the court’s ruling and are optimistic about the potential for the third party PPAs in Iowa. The agreements are especially useful for local governments, schools, non-profits as well as farmers and homeowners – all of whom may not have sufficient tax liability to take full advantage of incentives for renewable energy or may not have the upfront capital required for solar investments.

“Solar energy is an attractive option for Iowa because our state receives a great deal of solar energy at the same time our demand for energy is very high—hot summer days,” said Baer.  “As Iowa homeowners and businesses continue to embrace solar, our coalition will keep working hard to overcome barriers along the way.”

While the Court’s ruling is still subject to appeal, the Council and its allies are hopeful it will stand.  Stay up to date on this case and the Council’s other efforts to support solar energy by following the “solar” tag on the Council’s blog.  To learn more about our energy program, visit iaenvironment.org.

Practical Farmers of Iowa seeks office manager

OFFICE MANAGER, practical farmers of iowa

Practical Farmers of Iowa is seeking a detail-oriented, service-oriented, personable individual to join their staff as the office manager, as their current office manager has plans to move out of state. PFI offers a flexible, fast-paced work environment with opportunities for independent initiative and  professional development. The position will be located at the PFI office in Ames.

The deadline to apply is May 1.  For complete details, visit http://practicalfarmers.org/assets/files/Office_Manager_Job_Description_2013.pdf

Have you seen the spring “Clean Water Starts with Us?

By APRIL SIGMUND, Council communications intern

Clean Water Starts with Us, an e-newsletter produced for watershed coordinators and those interested in improving water quality in their communities, has released its quarterly edition.

One article in the newsletter highlights a study conducted by Iowa State University on sediment deposits in Iowa’s lakes and rivers. The study shows that despite soil conservation efforts across Iowa, sediment deposit growth is accelerating at the bottom of Iowa’s lakes (p. 3).

Results of this study have its authors concerned that the increase in soil buildup could cause damage to wildlife habitats and other problems.

Also featured in the latest edition–a new resource available for communities engaging in watershed improvement projects. Iowa Learning Farms has produced “Watershed-based Community Assessments,” a toolkit containing steps communities should take to successfully complete a water quality improvement project. The toolkit focuses around involving thoughts and opinions of local watershed residents when carrying out a project.

Download and read the Clean Water Starts With Us spring edition here.

Clean Water Starts With Us is a quarterly electronic newsletter from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation (DSC) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).