Our Dependence On Dirty Energy

Iowa’s dependence on coal is causing air pollution and global warming. The economic consequences include rising prices and missed opportunities to build our economy.

Nevertheless, pressed by utility companies, our state officials are increasing our use of dirty energy:

MidAmerican, Alliant, and even out-of-state power companies are proposing new coal plants across Iowa. This past spring, Iowa PIRG was part of a coalition that helped temporarily stop a coal plant from being built in Mitchell County in Northern Iowa, but last year MidAmerican Energy received approval to start construction on a gigantic 790 MW coal plant in Council Bluffs.

Iowa gets nearly 90 percent of electricity from coal, despite vast wind, sun and biomass potential.

It’s time to make smart power choices in Iowa. Choices that will preserve our quality of life and strengthen our economy.

A High Price To Pay: Illness, Energy Dependence And Wasted Money

A public health threat

Iowa power plants emit over 125,000 tons of soot forming sulfur dioxide, and 39 million tons of global warming pollution. In 2002, Harrison, Clinton and Scott counties experienced days with more air pollution than is safe to breathe.

Iowa’s one nuclear power plant poses a threat of catastrophic disaster for people living near it. Nuclear power also creates dangerous radioactive waste for which there is no safe disposal method. U.S. intelligence sources indicate nuclear plants are among the targets most vulnerable to terrorism.

Energy independence

Farmers who lease their land for wind turbines, as pictured above, can earn thousands of dollars a year.

Nearly 90 percent of Iowa’s power comes from coal imported from other states.

Yet MidAmerican and Alliant want to build new coal- and natural-gas- fired power plants, making us more reliant on imported fuel and more vulnerable to fluctuating energy prices. Instead, we could produce nearly five times our electrical power needs from wind alone, which would allow us to export clean power to other states.

Economic development
Nearly a tenth of our gross state product is spent on energy. Iowans pay $310 million to import coal from outside the state.

According to a Tellus Institute study, investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency would result in a net gain of 8,300 jobs by 2010. These jobs would be created throughout the Iowa economy, including rural communities, small businesses and the energy industry.

Clean Energy Opportunities For Iowa

Renewables will strengthen Iowa
Iowa can, and should, take the route of cleaner and healthier energy.

Developing renewable sources of energy would cut tons of toxic pollution from our air and water, and pump money back into our economy. It also helps farmers make ends meet.

Ed Woolsey,
President,
Applied Agricultural Technologies, Inc.
Martensdale, Iowa
“Renewable energy offers agriculture the opportunity to enter a virtually unlimited market. By getting involved in energy production, farmers can grow biomass crops and lease land for wind turbines that improve air quality, water quality, wildlife diversity and the rural economy all with one stroke. They’re also helping to make Iowa energy independent, by reducing our need to import fuel from other states and countries.”

Iowa PIRG’s Clean Energy Plan
Iowa PIRG is working to ensure that Iowa takes the path of clean, affordable, reliable and independent energy.

Harvesting Renewable Power
Wind power alone has the potential to provide Iowa with almost five times more energy than we use now. Iowa PIRG supports requiring utilities to derive at least 20 percent of their energy from clean, renewable power by 2020.

Efficiency Now
It’s quicker, easier and cheaper to reduce energy demand than it is to increase energy supply. Iowa PIRG advocates increasing Iowa’s energy efficiency by 20 percent by 2010 by requiring utilities to run efficiency programs. Iowa PIRG also supports setting modern efficiency standards for new appliances and enforcing building codes.

Stop New Fossil Fuel Plants
Iowa PIRG is fighting proposals to build any new coal power plants. With renewable power potential in Iowa, we don’t need more fossil fuel-fired power plants.

Join Iowa PIRG’s Energy Action Network
Right now, we can make smart power choices. In order to ensure that our decision-makers implement them, we must let them know that Iowans support clean, affordable, reliable and independent energy.