Read the Bill Summary here and the Amendment Summary here.

Dove hunting update

March 23, 2011 by O.Kay Henderson · Leave a Comment

The Iowa Senate yesterday took about four minutes to pass a bill that would allow dove hunting in Iowa. Today, the Iowa House may tack that dove hunting proposal onto another bill — about raccoon hunting.  The House is scheduled to gavel in for action at 1 p.m., but there may be closed-door meetings (party caucuses) before debate actually begins in public.  Count on a debate lasting longer than four minutes, if/when it starts.

This funding will help consumers have more choices at the pump, support local farmers and help the biofuels industry’s long term success. Biofuels and biodiesel are a key component of our state’s and nation’s economy and a powerful part of our clean energy future.

Through this funding, OEI will initiate a campaign through public awareness, market incentives and education, that will support creating the market for mid and high blend ethanol that can be dispensed from blender pumps.

For more information visit: www.energy.iowa.gov.

Of the six corridors, two are located in Iowa. One parallels the northern border of the state and one is in mid-state. The economic impact from the build-out of the transmission lines is substantial. It is estimated nearly 600 jobs will be created. These jobs include electricians, linemen, technicians, equipment operators, mechanics, steel workers, engineers and concrete workers. The executive summary of the report and full report are attached.

UMTDI’s Report Findings

1.       In 2009, UMTDI developed a set of cost allocation principles that can serve as a foundation for ongoing cost allocation discussions in the region and the country.

2.      It also chose 20 renewable energy zones within the five-state region to serve as proxies for the likely regional growth in renewable energy. These zones were reasonably balanced between those close to customers (and thus requiring less transmission investment) and those with a stronger wind resource (which are generally farther from customers and thus require more transmission capacity). The 15,000 megawatts of potential wind is the amount required to serve the existing clean energy obligations of the five states and the zones provide a basis upon which additional wind can be developed for export to other regions.

3.      The six renewable energy transmission corridors span the five-state region, connect the 20 renewable energy zones, and if built upon, provide for reliability and transmission congestion relief in addition to renewable energy benefits. The corridors were chosen after extensive work by UMTDI with assistance from the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO) and transmission owners in the region.

The new campground at the north end of the Volga River was funded by a $1.5 million infrastructure appropriation. The 42 new campsites all have electricity and water while 34 have sewer connections as well.  Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table.  The camp pads are level and 11 are paved, pull through sites.

The project began when roads for the campground were built in 2005.  In 2008, the legislature approved $750,000 to develop the campground and another $750,000 was provided in 2009 to complete the project.

For more information on the Campground visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/volga_river.html

Anyone affected by the natural disasters in a county that has been Presidentially Declared for Individual Assistance is eligible for the “Iowans Helping Iowans” program. This includes the following 32 counties: Black Hawk, Cherokee, Clayton, Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Kossuth, Lee, Lucas, Lyon, Mahaska, Marion, O’Brien, Osceola, Polk, Ringgold, Sioux, Story, Taylor, Union, Warren, Webster, and Wright.

Homeowners must first register with FEMA and be awarded some form of FEMA housing assistance to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. Businesses must first be approved for a disaster-related loan by eligible lender, including conventional lenders, to be eligible for “Iowans Helping Iowans”. For more information visit www.IowansHelpingIowans.com.

In addition, the local Farm Service Agency is offering assistance to those agricultural producers who sustained losses from recent flooding. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA and select the State Offices link at the top of the page for more information.

The Office is currently seeking proposals under the State Energy Program (SEP), the Building Energy Smart (BE$T) program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), with a maximum award of $1 million available per project.

Applicants with shovel-ready projects may review the revised Request for Proposals (RFP) and are encouraged to apply online at: www.energy.iowa.gov.

Fort Madison
Siemens Energy, Inc., in Fort Madison recieved $180,000 to support the extension of rail spur to service Siemens. This $1,350,000 project will extend an existing rail spur to provide capacity for an additional 15 rail cars. The improvement is anticipated to expand the number of blades Siemens could competitively produce by 660 annually and increase current competition distribution radius by 1,500 miles.

LeClaire
Mississippi River Distilling Company, in LeClaire, is a start-up company that plans to be the first micro distillery in Iowa to focus specifically on the production of small batch, handmade vodka, gin and bourbon manufactured from locally grown grains. The Board approved a $95,000 award from the value added agricultural component of the GIVFAP to assist with the costs related to the production of the liquors.

Coralville
J & J Solutions, Inc. of Coralville is a start-up company launched in 2008. They manufacture medical devices that optimize the safe handling of hazardous medication, such as chemotherapeutics, used to treat cancer patients. The Iowa Economic Development Board approved an award of $250,000 from the entrepreneurial component of the GIVFAP to support the development of this new product. The company expects to create 15 new jobs and retain three to support this new product line.

Iowa City
Responsible Transportation of Iowa City is a startup company that has been awarded $25,000 for technical assistance from the entrepreneurial component of the GIVFAP to conduct a feasibility study, plan for plant development, perform export analysis, engineering building design, and website design for their new company. The company intends to become the first pound for unwanted horses serving the Midwest.

Sioux City
Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc., (IDFI) currently located in Moville, is looking to lease a larger building in Sioux City to accommodate the company’s expansion, including additional equipment and employees. The Board approved an award of $125,000 from the GIVFAP and Enterprise Zone tax benefits to support the creation of nine new and 16 retained jobs.

The purpose of the award is to recognize, promote and honor individuals and groups who have been involved in rebuilding and/or established best practices in recovery efforts after the floods and tornadoes of 2008. (Please note that government employees at the local, state or federal level are not eligible for this award.)

Nominations for the Rebuild Iowa Award for Service can be submitted by individuals, local groups, community leaders, government employees, etc.  and will be accepted through Friday, June 11, 2010.  Nomination forms can be found on the Rebuild Iowa Office Web site at www.rio.iowa.gov or by clicking on the following link: http://www.rio.iowa.gov/Rebuild_Iowa_Award_for_Service.pdf.

The grant application deadline is June 30, 2010 with a maximum per project award of $250,000.

Eligible applicants would be public, private and non-profit sector entities. Potential applicants may now go online at www.iowagrants.gov to apply for this grant funding opportunity.

The OEI will host a webinar informational session on May 25, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to provide guidance concerning the state’s grant application website. The webinar will provide training on using the Iowa Grants Enterprise Management System (IGEMS). Those interested may register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/788854673. During the session the Office will explain the online registration process, components of the web application and how to successfully complete the process.

For OEI general energy program information, please visit: www.energy.iowa.gov