Renewable Energy Legislation in Iowa

I received an email from the Iowa Renewable Energy Association (IRenew) discussing all of the energy related bills introduced at the state level. I was surprised at how many bills there were and at how far-reaching and large-scale some of them are.

Here is a look at the different bills...

Senate:

• Senate File 314 Would require all utilities in Iowa to provide net metering
• Senate File 241 Would increase the percentage of electricity to be produced from renewable energy sources- 20% by 2020
• Senate File 355 Would create a community-based wind energy program in Iowa
• Senate File 122 Would give a sales tax exemption for energy-efficient appliances
• Senate File 229 Would add an Energy conservation technician for the capitol complex
• Senate File 285 Would promote energy efficiency in schools, biodiesel transportation, and green buildings
• Senate File 286 Energy efficiency performance standards for utilities, 20% reduction in consumption by 2020.
• Senate File 288 Adoption and enforcement of energy conservation requirements in building code.
• Senate File 301 Requiring utilities board to establish energy efficiency rules for merchant power plants.
• Senate File 242 Would require energy usage information to be included in real estate disclosure statements.
• Senate File 296 Would create a local government energy innovation competitive grant program.

House:

• House File 347 Establish energy utility assessment and resolution program for low-income persons who have need or deferred payment agreement for home energy utility costs.
• House File 166 Would extend the time period that a qualified facility, using wind energy, to be placed in service to qualify for the state wind energy tax credit.
• House File 498 Would establish an Iowa energy independence office and the Iowa power fund

IRenew is asking that people contact their State Representitive and State Senator and ask them to support renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.