February News

February 22, 2026

The February, 2026, newsletter from the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is now available.  In this issue, you will find:

Iowa legislature - Check out what we are following and what you can do

  • Eminent Domain Legislation - The legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for acquiring right-of-way for the construction or operation of a carbon oxide pipeline.  This bill - HF2104, already passed the Iowa House, has moved to the Iowa Senate where it has passed the Senate Commerce Committee, and is ready to be debated by the Iowa Senate.

  • March 10 Pipeline Lobby Day & Rally at the Capitol - we hope you can join us.

  • Renewable energy siting - a bill is advancing that would create state-wide siting standards for renewable energy projects.

  • Unnecessary hurdle in listing waters as impaired - An effort is underway to restrict how the Iowa Department of Natural Resources places waters on the impaired waters list for fecal indicator bacteria.  The legislation would require determining the species responsible for the fecal matter and the percentage by species found in the water.  This is totally unnecessary and violates the Clean Water Act.

  • Funding for Water Sensors - Iowa's network of 60 water sensors will go silent unless the Iowa legislature restores funding for them.

  • Data Center Energy & Water Reporting - Iowa hosts more than 100 data centers.  Although data centers consume large quantities of water and energy, there is no reporting showing how much.  This bill requires quarterly reporting of energy usage to the Iowa Utilities Commission and water usage to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

  • 1st funnel sidelines legislation - check out some of the bills we were following that were tossed aside by the first funnel.

Learn about Our Environment

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