‘Environment’ Archives

Dems Focus on Economy; 500,000 Iowans to see lower taxes

“We made great strides last year expanding our job creation efforts by focusing on targeted industries like advanced manufacturing, information solutions, life sciences and alternative energy. We will continue our focus this year on creating good-paying jobs that help middle class families.  Around 500,000 Iowans will also benefit from a lower state tax bill as they fill out their 2007 tax returns in the coming months.” — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Some of the initiates to help middle class families include:

• 64,000 working families will receive a larger tax refund this year after a $10 million expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which also made the credit refundable. Iowans with questions about the EITC can call 800-367-3388. (Senate File 590, 2007)
• 430,000 seniors will find a reduction in their state income taxes. Iowans over 65 will see a 32% decrease in taxes on social security income and won’t pay any state tax on the first $18,000 ($24,000 for couples) of other income (Senate File 2408, 2006)
• Minimum wage rose on January 1 to $7.25 and 257,000 Iowans will benefit (House File 1, 2007) (more…)

Tags: earned income tax credit, Economy, film production, Iowa House, Jobs, Minimum Wage, pension tax, renewable energy, social security tax, tax cuts
Category Environment, Jobs & Economy |

Global Warming Denial Continues by Republicans

State Representative Donovan Olson, D-Boone, and chair of the House Environmental Protection, took to the House Floor today after five Republican legislators distributed a book at the statehouse claiming global warming is not man-made.

Last year, Democrats made historic progress on the environment through expanded funding for REAP, the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Registry, and expanded soil and water conservation. During debate on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions bill last year, Representative Dwayne Alons, R-Sioux County, claimed on the House Floor that global warming is good for the earth. Listen to his comments here.

The book, written by S. Fred Singer and Dennis Avery, Unstoppable Global Warming was distributed by Rep. Ralph Watts, R-Dallas County, Rep. Alons, Senator Jerry Behn, R-Boone County, Rep. Chuck Soderberg, R-Plymouth County, and Rep. Jamie Van Fossen, R-Scott County.  You can find the comments from Rep. Ralph Watts here.

According to sourcewatch.org, S. Fred Singer helped tobacco companies in the 1990’s and launched a publicity campaign claiming the connection between secondhand smoke and cancer was a myth. He has also admitted to doing climate change research for Exxon Mobil, Shell and others.

Dennis Avery penned an anti-ethanol study for a conservative think tank funded, in part, by Texaco, Phillip Morris, and Pfizer.

Tags: Climate Change, Environment, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, House Republicans, Iowa House
Category Environment |

Council Recommends 50% Reduction in Greenhouse Gases

The Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council met yesterday in Davenport and made recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in 2050. The council was created as part of a larger package on greenhouse gases (SF 485) during the last session. State Representative Donovan Olson of Boone led the bill through the House and also serves on the Advisory Council.

The scoop from today’s Des Moines Register:

Panel aims to cut Iowa’s emissions in half
By PERRY BEEMAN • REGISTER STAFF WRITER • December 18, 2007

Davenport, Ia. — A legislative panel on Monday agreed to lay out how Iowa could cut greenhouse gas emissions related to global warming either by 50 percent or by 90 percent by 2050. (more…)

Tags: , Democrats, Environment, Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas, Iowa House, Legislature
Category Environment |

Iowa’s Energy Independence Plan

Commissioned by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Chet Culver earlier this year, the Iowa Office of Energy Independence released the Iowa Plan for Energy Independence today, which aims to make Iowa energy independent by 2025.  

State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine helped draft the legislation last spring and now serves on the Iowa Power Fund Board of Directors, which governs the Office of Energy Independence and drafted the plan.

Tags: Bioeconomy, Biofuels, Energy Independence, Ethanol, Green State, Iowa, Soydiesel, Wind Energy
Category Environment, Jobs & Economy |

Recommendations on Energy Efficiency

The Energy Efficiency study committee wrapped up work on yesterday and made 18 recommendations, which includes a energy efficiency goal of $9 billion in savings over the next ten years.  State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine co-chairs the committee and the recommendations were approved on a 7-2 vote.

PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS OF INTERIM COMMITTEE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Improving energy efficiency – getting more energy services for less energy – is essential for Iowa’s efforts for energy independence, for jobs and economic growth, and for the environment and future generations. As Whirlpool Corporation told our committee, energy efficiency is “cheaper,” “quicker,” “cleaner,” and “enhances security.” The interim committee on energy efficiency makes the following recommendations:

(more…)

Category Environment |