Welcome to the Iowa Chapter blog!
Blogger - Pam Mackey Taylor, with assistance from Jess Mazour and Briana Kouma
Fully fund REAP's environmental programs
May 15, 2025
One of the important sources of funds for natural resources, water, and soils is a program called REAP. Every year the legislature must fund this program.
Legislation sent to the governor
May 15, 2025
The 2025 legislature adjourned on May 15. See the bills we followed that were sent to the governor
Anaerobic digesters
May 15, 2025
Several bills moving the legislature would define laws related to anaerobic digesters. Sierra Club opposes these bills.
Governor's energy act
May 15, 2025
The legislature is reviewing a bill that would change energy policy in the state. See our thoughts.
Legislation on payment for cleanup of hazardous substances
May 15, 2025
A bill has been introduced that would make the person responsible for the release of hazardous substances pay reasonable costs for responding to the scene, oversight, monitoring
Property taxes on forest & fruit tree reservations
May 15, 2025
Several bills moving the legislature would restrict the property tax exemption on forest reservations and fruit tree reservations
Ottumwa Coal Ash Pollution
May 14, 2025
Environmentalists are seeing a permanent solution to coal ash contaminating groundwater near the Ottumwa power plant
Supervisor representation for large Iowa counties
April 11, 2025
The governor signed a bill that dictates how members of the boards of supervisors are elected in the larger Iowa Counties and in Black Hawk, Johnson, and Story Counties. Sierra Club opposed this bill.