Welcome to the Iowa Chapter blog!
Blogger - Pam Mackey Taylor
CAFO rules
April 15, 2024
The Environmental Protection Commission will hear comments and vote on a weaker set of rules for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), which will be detrimental to Iowa's water quality. The proposed rules ignore a majority of input from...
Repealing all rules
April 14, 2024
A bill would repeal every single rule every 5 years and then have the rules re-instated through rulemaking, a lengthy, expensive process
East Nishnabotna fish kill
April 10, 2024
Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Director Pam Mackey-Taylor sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Administrator requesting EPA to engage in enforcement actions against NEW Cooperative, Inc. for its recent release of 256,000 gallons...
Bill intends to overturn city rules on topsoil restoration
April 10, 2024
The Iowa legislature is attempting to ban cities and counties setting requirements for topsoil restoration on building sites. It would also force cities and counties to repeal their ordinances that have requirements for contractors and homebuilders...
CO2 Pipeline Eminent Domain Reform
April 10, 2024
The legislature is considering a bill that reforms how the Utilities Board conducts hearings in hazardous liquid pipeline cases, allowing for declaratory orders.
CO2 Pipeline Rupture
April 4, 2024
A carbon dioxide pipeline in Louisiana ruptured on April 3, 2024.
Removing gender balance on government boards
April 4, 2024
A bill that has been introduced to remove gender balance on state and local boards, committees, commissions, and councils is advancing. The Sierra Club opposes this bill.
DNR Appropriations
April 2, 2024
The legislature is considering the appropriations for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Sierra Club is suggesting some additions.
Comments on Pipeline Eminent Domain Reform
March 28, 2024
The Iowa House passed a bill that reforms how the Utilities Board conducts hearings in hazardous liquid pipeline cases, allowing for declaratory orders.
Home Efficiency & Electrification Rebate Programs
March 22, 2024
The federal Inflation Reduction Act includes a rebate program that funds homeowner's energy efficiency updates and electrification projects