Welcome to the Iowa Chapter blog!
Blogger - Pam Mackey Taylor
Restoring Iowa’s energy efficiency programs
January 19, 2019
Prior to 2018, Iowa had a long history of leading on energy efficiency. However, in 2018, SF2311 gutted the energy efficiency programs in the state. By capping the amount of money that a utility can invest in energy efficiency, the programs were...
Pulling state funds from banks engaging in fraud
January 18, 2019
As the state’s banker, the state treasurer has the responsibility to deposit the state’s funds in banks. The state treasurer is responsible for determining in which financial institutions to hold the state’s money, institutions to borrow from, and...
Climate Change is Happening in Iowa!
September 6, 2018
Reports on the effects of climate change seem worlds away from us in Iowa. Yet, Iowans also are dealing with its effects. Until recently, one could predict certain weather events would happen during certain months of the year. Lately that...
Local Governments Can Lead the Way in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
September 4, 2018
Local governments can become leaders in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by becoming more energy efficient. Not only that, by becoming more energy efficient, local governments save taxpayer money, less carbon dioxide is emitted which lessens the...
Reforming the Iowa Utilities Board
September 3, 2018
The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) is responsible for regulating utilities, including electric, gas, and pipelines. Over the years, as the Iowa Chapter has engaged in cases handled by the IUB, it has become obvious that there are serious shortcomings.
Policies to Improve Eminent Domain
September 2, 2018
In many respects Iowa's easement laws have not kept up with the cross-state, regional or cross-nation transporting of energy and minerals, particularly in adequately compensating the landowner for the use of his or her land. Although the landowners...
Understanding eminent domain and easements
September 1, 2018
Private property rights comprise one of the core values conferred on citizens of the United States. At the same time, government entities need to acquire land for schools, roads and other public purposes. Likewise, utility companies need rights-of...
Soil Scientist Explains What Happened to Farmland in Pipeline Easement
August 26, 2018
A Field Day held at the LaVerne Johnson farm looked at a solution for restoring farmland damaged during the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. Johnson consulted with an agronomist, Dr. Michael McNeill, to find a solution that would return...
Field Day On Restoring Land After Dakota Access Construction
August 24, 2018
A Field Day held at the LaVerne Johnson farm looked at a solution for restoring farmland damaged during the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. The first year after the pipeline was construction, Johnson’s crop in the easement was a failure...