Clean energy advocates said Iowa stands to lose jobs, manufacturing facilities, renewable energy project expansions and face more expensive utility bills if Congress passes the budget reconciliation bill as is. Many of these credits were extended via the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, which put them under attack from Republican lawmakers opposed to the green policies. […]
Solar Power
Posted inCommunity/News
One-third of Grinnell College power to come from solar energy with new solar array
Grinnell College has made a “decisive step” forward in the direction of operating without emissions with the completion of a 9,000-panel solar array. One-third of Grinnell College’s campus is now running on renewable energy with the array, the largest private solar installation in the state, Grinnell College President Anne Harris said. As Grinnell College reaches […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Dark money group spent $1.25 million on TV ads supporting bill imposing new fee on solar panels
A dark money group spent $1.25 million on TV ads in just six weeks to support bills in the Iowa legislature that would let utility companies impose new fees on homeowners and businesses that install solar panels. That group, the REAL Coalition of Iowa, was incorporated on Jan. 23, apparently to support the bills.
Posted inCommunity/News
Dark money group steps up support for new fee on solar panels
A dark money group has increased its efforts to support a bill (SF583) that would let utility companies impose new fees on homeowners and businesses that install solar panels. The REAL Coalition of Iowa was incorporated as a nonprofit on Jan. 23, apparently to support the House and Senate versions of the bill. A dark money group is a nonprofit that engages in political activity but does not disclose its funders.
Posted inCommunity/News
New program will help reduce the cost of solar power for Johnson County homeowners
A new program to help Johnson County and West Branch residents interested in adding solar power to their homes will hold its first public meeting on Thursday at Johnson County Health and Human Services Building. Solarize Johnson County is a collaboration between the county, six cities and the nonprofit Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).
“First and foremost, it’s an educational effort so people can learn about solar,” said Becky Soglin, sustainability coordinator for Johnson County. “The focus is residential use.”
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa school district makes major investment in solar power
Waco Elementary in Crawfordsville, Iowa, looks like any small town schoolhouse, but something about the building sounds different. Humming behind the three-story…
Posted inCommunity/News
Power up: Ecopolis event to tackle the future of solar power in Iowa City
Lighting the way to a renewable future in Iowa City, Ecopolis will host a community forum on solar power tonight at the Iowa City Public Library, featuring various…
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa’s largest solar array debuts in rural Kalona
Farmers Electric Cooperative and Eagle Point Solar will host the grand opening of the largest solar field in Iowa tomorrow at 10 a.m. at 1956 520th St. in rural Kalona. The solar array will house 2,900 solar panels and is set to generate 800 kilowatts, totaling one million kilowatt hours of energy annually for Farmer’s […]
