Legislative Update

• Legislative Update

• Governor Reynolds Vetoes Carbon Pipeline Bill, HF639

Have Fun 

• Join us for a fish outing in Stuart, Iowa, July 12

• Hitchcock Nature Center Outing, Honey Creek, Iowa - September 20

Protecting the Environment

• Update on Revised Science Standards

• Update on Summit's Phase 2 Carbon Dioxide Pipeline

• Linn & Woodbury Counties Consider Zoning Changes for Nuclear Power Plants & Nuclear Waste Storage

• Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

Plus

• Intern Julia Hallauer

• Contribute to the Iowa Chapter

• Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

• Calendar of events

• To see the archive of previous Iowa Chapter newsletters

Below, Wally Taylor, Roger Vetter, Val Vetter, EJ Gallagher, Sheri Albrecht listen to a speaker at the 2025 annual meeting.

Update on Revised Science Standards

Early this year, the Iowa Department of Education became embroiled in controversy over proposed changes to the school curriculum for science which is taught from kindergarten through high school.  A panel of experts was involved in making recommendations and had signed off on a draft of the revised standards.  Mysteriously someone at the Iowa Department of Education removed references to climate change, the age of the earth, and evolution from the standards in the version that was published and presented for public comment.  A member of the expert panel alerted media of the changes.  It resulted in public outrage.  

After reviewing public comments about the revised draft proposal, the Department of Education emerged with finalized standards in May.  Although the final science standards were slightly revised from the draft, the approved standards do not mention that humans have impacted climate change but do mention that the earth has experienced natural warming and cooling over time.  Some of the wording related to evolution was restored.  The age of the earth was not restored to the standards. 

The whole point of science education is to ensure that graduating students are prepared for college or for entering the workplace.  That implies that students are given up-to-date current information about science.  The workplace that students will enter is global; the workers today must compete with workers across the globe.  Students who are not taught current information about science enter college and the workplace behind those who have a science education based on current scientific thoughts.  

References 

See Department of Education Proposes Controversial Changes to Science Standards - Evolution and Climate Change under fire.

"Iowa approves new science standards leaving out key details about climate change", KCRG, May 8, 2025, see www.kcrg.com/2025/05/09/iowa-approves-new-science-standards-leaving-out-key-details-about-climate-change/

Glenn Branch, "Iowa adopts a worsened set of science standards", National Center for Science Education, May 9, 2025, see https://ncse.ngo/iowa-adopts-worsened-set-science-standards

Legislative Update

In our last newsletter, we noted that we were waiting for the governor to sign or veto several pieces of legislation that we had lobbied on.

• The governor signed HF472, a bill that provides expedited processes to protect those who are sued while using their First Amendment Rights to speak in public.  Those are called SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) suits and have been used by corporations to attempt to silence people who publicly oppose their projects.  Sierra Club supported this bill.

• The governor signed HF876 into law - a bill that requires the disclosure of lead service lines when real estate is transferred.  If the water lines leading into a building are made of lead, the lead from the pipes can leach into the water.  Drinking water contaminated with lead can result in a range of health problems.  High levels of lead are extremely dangerous to children, causing lower IQ, learning and behavior difficulties, and slowed growth.  Adults with high levels of lead exposure can experience high blood pressure, memory and concentration issues, muscle and joint pain, and other issues.  Replacing lead services lines is costly.  A person purchasing a property has a right to know if the building has lead service lines.  The Sierra Club supported this legislation.

• The governor signed SF646 which extends REAP until June 30, 2028.  This was part of an appropriations bill.  The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program provides funding to protect Iowa’s natural areas, soil conservation, water quality and historical resources.  REAP benefits counties as well as the state.  The Sierra Club supported extending REAP. 

• The governor vetoed HF639, a bill that includes provisions affecting carbon dioxide pipelines, including intervenor rights, liability protections, strengthening common carrier language because only a common carrier can exercise eminent domain, requiring all members of the Utilities Commission to attend hearings where testimony is given, and more.  The Sierra Club was disappointed that the governor vetoed this bill.

Governor Reynolds Vetoes Carbon Pipeline Bill, HF639

After four years of unbelievable legislative work and pressure to put a bill addressing the carbon pipeline issue on Governor Reynolds’ desk, she vetoed the bill.  Her decision has created uproar in the Statehouse and has united and strengthened our coalition of Iowans opposed to Summit’s carbon pipeline proposal.

HF639 was a commonsense bill that increased transparency, accountability and standards hazardous liquid pipelines must meet to be able to use eminent domain.  The bill overwhelmingly passed out of the House with 85 votes, and after a heated and long debate, it passed the Senate with 27 votes.  

Governor Reynolds’ veto statement is full of holes.  She claims “reasonable people can - and do - disagree about when government, or a private company acting with government approval, should be allowed to take private land”.  Yet she fails to acknowledge that 78% of Iowans oppose eminent domain for carbon pipelines.  The carbon pipeline issue is one of the only issues that cuts across party lines and unites Iowans from all backgrounds.

Reynolds went on to say that HF639 “Sets a troubling precedent that threatens Iowa’s energy reliability, economy, and reputation as a place where businesses can invest with confidence”.  But the truth is that the troubling precedent is when her Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) approved eminent domain for Summit’s for-profit, private carbon pipeline project that is not a public convenience or necessity. 

She also wrote that “Iowa leads the nation in biofuels.  We are at the forefront of turning corn into low-carbon energy.”  But Iowans are asking at what cost?  Our land? Our legacy? Our safety? Our water? Our climate?

Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and impacted landowners lobbied weekly for four years to get the bill out of both chambers, a feat that was said to be nearly impossible.  While Summit, Bruce Rastetter, Reynolds and others in Senate leadership may think they have defeated us, that is far from true.  We will come back stronger in 2026 to pass a bill that protects Iowa’s people, land and water from Summit’s carbon pipeline. 

For more information, please watch our Lunch & Learn about Governor Reynolds’ veto.

Update on Summit's Phase 2 Carbon Dioxide Pipeline

After months of attempts to pressure landowners into signing voluntary easement agreements with Iowa landowners along its Phase 2 route, Summit’s latest filings show widespread opposition.   

In order for the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) to schedule a hearing on Summit’s 15 petitions for a hazardous carbon pipeline, Summit must file a list of parcels that it will need to use eminent domain against, officially called an Exhibit H List. Maps of the counties impacted by Summit’s Phase 2 proposal are astonishing - nearly all the impacted parcels are refusing to sign. 

These maps should send a strong message to elected officials that Iowans are opposed to eminent domain for carbon pipelines.

Click here to view the most recent maps filed by Summit.

Linn & Woodbury Counties Consider Zoning Changes for Nuclear Power Plants & Nuclear Waste Storage

The nuclear power industry believes we are at the beginning of what it terms a nuclear renaissance.  For many years, no new nuclear plants have been constructed and several existing nuclear plants have closed, including Duane Arnold in Palo, Iowa. 

The industry’s renaissance includes attempts to restart some of the closed reactors, including Duane Arnold, and the development of what are called small modular reactors. The claim by the nuclear industry is that additional nuclear power is necessary to power the increasing development of large data centers and other large energy users.  Increasing the development of more active nuclear reactors will necessarily mean more radioactive waste from spent nuclear fuel, which is currently stored on-site since there is no central repository for nuclear waste. 

In light of this situation, Linn County and Woodbury County are considering changes to their zoning ordinances to regulate nuclear facilities.  Sierra Club will participate in these proceedings to ensure that the people and the land in those counties are protected.

Nuclear power and nuclear waste facilities would probably be designated as conditional uses in industrial areas.  That means they would have to get a special permit from the zoning board of adjustment.  The permit would have specific conditions attached to protect people and the land.

Both counties are currently just in the process of gathering information and ideas for a change in the zoning ordinances.

Join us for a fish outing in Stuart, Iowa

Ready for an easy‑going outdoor adventure the whole family will love?  Join Sierra Club volunteers for a fun‑filled afternoon of nature activities!  July 12, from 10am to 2pm, Walnut Trail Farm, 2857 Walnut Trail, Stuart, Iowa.  RSVP today.

What’s Happening
Learn‑to‑Fish Station - Bring your own rod and we’ll supply the bait. We have a hunch that bass and bluegill will be biting!
Pond Life Discovery - Scoop critters with dip‑nets, then zoom in on them under a field microscope to identify macroinvertebrates and see who really lives beneath the surface.
Pick‑Your‑Own Flower Farm - Wander colorful rows, snap photos, or purchase a bouquet to take home. Rumor has it an ice‑cream social may pop up as well—but stay tuned!
50‑Acre Woodland Hike - Stretch your legs on gentle forest trails just steps from the pond.

Please RSVP today to let us know you're coming.  We only have room for 25 people.

Things to note:
- Anyone over 16 who plans to fish, needs to have a fishing license. Children under 16 are exempt and do not need a fishing license.
- Restroom facilities available.
- The pond is teeming with fish so catching fish is guaranteed.  However, the largemouth bass are catch and release.  You can keep some of the bluegill.
- Pack water, sun protection, and a picnic if you'd like.

Come fish, explore, and smell the flowers, all in one laid‑back day outdoors. We can’t wait to see you at Walnut Trail Farm!

Hitchcock Outing

Experience Peak Hawk Migration at Hitchcock Nature Center!

Join us on Saturday, September 20 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a special outing at Hitchcock Nature Center, one of Iowa’s most scenic and biologically rich areas. Mid-September marks the height of hawk migration, and we’ll be hitting the trails with naturalists and HawkWatch biologists to learn all about these incredible birds.  Sign up today

This guided hike includes a stop at the park’s observation tower, a look at Loess Hills plant and animal life, and a short talk with Dr. Tom Rosburg at the overlook. Bring your lunch, wear sturdy hiking gear, and get ready for an unforgettable nature experience.

Cost: $5 per person
Location: Hitchcock Nature Center, 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA 51542

If you have some time after the event, you might consider a visit to nearby DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature, learn from experts, and witness one of the most exciting migrations of the year!  Sign up today

Intern Julia Hallauer

Julia Hallauer will be spending the summer working as an intern with Wally Taylor on the various legal issues the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is involved in.  Julia just completed her first year of law school at the University of Iowa.  She is from Houghton Lake, Michigan. 

She will be immersed in issues related to the carbon dioxide pipeline, the restart of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant, and water quality.  As part of the internship, Julia will be engaged in legal research and writing pleadings.  Julia joins us as part of the Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative.

Welcome, Julia. 

Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

Fridays at noon, we do a Lunch and Learn livestream.  See us on Facebook at "Sierra Club Iowa Chapter".  These will be recorded so you can watch them anytime.  Topics will be selected based on what is happening during the week.  During the legislative session, we cover issues coming before the Iowa legislature.

In case you missed our past webinars and lunch and learn sessions, you can still see them.  We are hearing that Facebook will start purging recordings if they are 30 days old, so you will want to watch these before they are purged.

• See "Gov Reynolds Vetoed HF639", June 13, 2025

• See "Iowa Deer Trends", May 30, 2025

• Watch "Summit's "Exhibit H" Maps Show Overwhelming Opposition", May 23, 2025

Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

Almost everything we do is done by volunteers like you.  If you would like to volunteer for the Iowa Chapter, please let us know by sending an E-mail to Iowa.chapter@sierraclub.org.  Or sign up by using the online form.  There are many opportunities for you to make a difference:

• making phone calls

• developing graphics for banners and flyers

• working on legislative issues

• working on elections

• fundraising

• organizing events

• joining an issue committee 

If you would like to join our legislative action team, sign up here.  Keep on top of what is happening at the Iowa legislature.  Be alerted when you should contact your legislators about pending legislation.

Photo: camping by Jess Mazour.

Sierra Club - working every day on Iowa’s environmental problems

Sierra Club is Iowa’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization.  Not only that, we are the best bet in the state for achieving bold solutions to Iowa’s environmental problems.

We work in the courts, before Iowa’s public agencies, and in the halls of the legislature.  The Iowa Chapter's effort to protect the environment takes financial support.  The Chapter receives very little financial support from the national Sierra Club.  Can we count on you for a donation to ensure even more victories?  Your contribution will be put to work here in Iowa on issues that affect every day Iowans – water quality, clean air, protection of Iowa's soil, parks and natural areas, and a strong democracy.  The Iowa Chapter is relentless in fighting back bad legislation that affects every one of us. 

Your non-deductible contributions make it possible for us to fight bad legislation and to promote good legislation.  We appreciate your past and on-going support of these efforts.  You can make a non-deductible donation with a credit card.   A non-deductible donation supports the Chapter's effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying programs.  If you prefer, a non-deductible check can be written to the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and mailed to:

Treasurer
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
PO Box 1058
Marion, IA 52302

You can also make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card.  Tax-deductible activities are limited to public interest education, research and legal actions.  A deductible check can be written to the Sierra Club Foundation with “Iowa Chapter” written in the memo line.

Thank you for your support.

Donate your used vehicle

As the Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter continues to raise charitable funds to support its work in Iowa, won’t you consider participating in our vehicle donation program?  Our partners over at CARS have made the process of donating your unused or unneeded car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV easy, efficient and secure.  They’ll take care of everything from picking up your vehicle to sending you a tax receipt for your generous gift.  To learn more about The Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter vehicle donation program, please call 844-674-3772.  Or visit our webpage to get started today!

Sierra Club Foundation promotes climate solutions, conservation, and movement building through a powerful combination of strategic philanthropy and grassroots advocacy. The Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Sierra Club’s charitable environmental programs.

For more information 

Planned giving . . . naming the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter in your will 

Ensure your environmental legacy by naming the Iowa Chapter in your will or trust. These gifts cost you nothing now. You can hold onto your assets for as long as you need them.

Thank you for supporting our work!