The May, 2026, newsletter from the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is now available. In this issue, you will find:
Protecting Iowa's Environment
Summit Drops 200 Miles of its Pipeline Route - Summit Carbon Solutions is dropping four ethanol plants from its pipeline project in Iowa. At the same time, it is asking the Utilities Commission to fast-track approval of its reconfigured project. The Sierra Club remains in opposition to the project.
Pattison Sand Update - Having completed studies of the capacity of the aquifer to sustainably support Pattison Sand's request for water withdrawal without harming neighboring wells and the City of Garnavillo's public water supply, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Geological Survey are presenting their findings at a public meeting on June 9 from 1 to 6pm in the Garnavillo Community Center in Garnavillo, Iowa.
Palo Is Giving Google What It Wants - Google wants to build up to six large data centers in Linn County near Palo, Iowa. Google initially wanted to build the data centers in unincorporated Linn County. In response, the Linn County Supervisors adopted a special zoning ordinance for data centers. Google has since decided that they would prefer to be annexed into Palo, Iowa. Palo is considering an ordinance for data centers that adopts much of the Linn County ordinance, but it does not require public records, an economic development agreement, or a water use study. The ordinance comes before the Palo city council on June 1.
Are Iowa’s Beaches a Health Risk? - It is now the season for Iowans to flock to the state's beaches. Before you go, check the Department of Natural Resources website to determine if there are advisories that it is not recommended that you swim in the lake because of high levels of E coli or microcystin toxins. E coli and microcystin indicate that there are high levels of fecal matter or fertilizers in the water.
Iowa legislature
2026 Legislature Adjourned - After an all-nighter marathon session, the legislature adjourned on May 3.
Funding for water sensors stalled - The legislature did not fund the continuous water monitoring network operated by IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa.
Carbon pipeline legislation didn't advance
Passive Radon Mitigation to be included in building codes
Renewable energy siting bill not advanced. This bill would have set state-wide standards for the siting of wind, solar, and battery storage.
Proposed constitutional amendment handcuffs future income tax increases by requiring a two-thirds super-majority of the legislature to pass income tax increases. The constitutional amendment will appear on the ballot in November. The state is already using reserves to pay for on-going expenses - $1.3 billion from the Taxpayer Relief Fund. That reserve fund will be empty in a couple of years, at the current rate. At that point, legislators will need every tool available to ensure that the state revenues are enough to meet expenses for the services Iowans need, want, and expect. That may mean increasing taxes including income taxes or it may be cutting government services. The two-thirds majority is a high hurdle.
Learn about Our Environment
Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026, Newton Arboretum in Newton, Iowa, from 9:00 to 3:00 - Celebrate, Connect, and Take Action! Join us for a program of speakers and a guided hike of the arboretum.
Outdoor Experiences - see upcoming outings
Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon
Plus
Contribute to the Iowa Chapter
Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter
Calendar of events
Photo below is Pattison Sand. Photo provided by Larry Stone.
