Iowa House of Representatives

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…)

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.

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:

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State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine was featured on essentialestrogen.com talking about environmental efforts passed during the 2007 legislative session.  From the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council to the Energy City Designation Program to the Iowa Power Fund and Energy Independence Plan, 2007 was a great year for the environment.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette also ran a front page story Monday about construction of new energy efficient buildings in Iowa.  The story cites several examples of business and schools designed to reduce the impact on our environment and save money on energy costs.

Green movement is changing design
By David DeWitte, The Gazette

Car shoppers have been gazing for years at little yellow Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimate stickers that indicate the kind of fuel economy you might expect from driving a particular model of car.

Ever notice that the mileage you got on your latest car wasn’t quite what the sticker indicated?

Now imagine if you could design your own car to achieve the level of fuel economy you sought and later work with the EPA to certify that the car met your objectives.

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The Sustainable Funding for Natural Resources interim committee, which is co-chaired by State Representative Paul Bell of Newton, heard last week that an additional $150 million per year is needed to support Iowa’s natural resources. The goal of the committee is to find a sustainable funding for our natural resources needs, including parks and trails; soil and water conservation; and fish, wildlife, and other natural areas.

The committee also heard from legislative colleagues from Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, and North Carolina on how they provide sustainable funding for natural resources. The committee hired Iowa State University’s Center for Agriculture and Rural Development to conduct a comprehensive review, analysis, and compilation of existing state and regional data concerning the economic impact and benefits of natural resources in Iowa. The committee will meet again December 11th and make recommendations to the full Legislature.