• 2nd funnel sidelines legislation

• Renewable energy siting

• Eminent Domain legislation

• Funding for water sensors

Learn about Our Environment

• Summit Faces Blow as CO2 Storage Permit Ruled Unconstitutional

• Cancer mortality & nuclear power plants

• Book Discussion - Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy, March 25

• Outdoor Experiences - see upcoming outings

• Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026, Newton Arboretum, Newton, Iowa - Save the date

• Lunch and Learns Fridays at noon

Plus

• Contribute to the Iowa Chapter

• Volunteer for the Iowa Chapter

• Calendar of events

• To see the archive of previous Iowa Chapter newsletters

Book Discussion March 25 - Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy

Join us for an engaging community book discussion of Nature’s Best Hope by renowned ecologist Doug Tallamy.  In this hopeful and empowering book, Tallamy explores how everyday actions, especially the way we manage our yards, parks, and shared spaces, can play a critical role in reversing biodiversity loss.

This discussion will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM  (Central).  RSVP here and we will send you the link.

We encourage participants to check out the book from their local library. Our discussion will focus on the 2019 edition of Nature’s Best Hope.  A 2023 version is also available and is especially well-suited for children and younger readers.

Together, we’ll discuss key themes from the book, share ideas for creating habitat at home and in our communities, and talk about practical steps we can take to support birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.  Whether you’ve read the entire book, just started, or are simply curious about how people can be part of the conservation solution, all are welcome.

Come ready for thoughtful conversation, connection, and inspiration. RSVP here

Photo of blue heron by Tom Reardon

Summit Faces Blow as CO2 Storage Permit Ruled Unconstitutional

Iowans across the state are fighting carbon dioxide pipelines.  We are joined with citizens in our neighboring states.  And we are winning the battles.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline proposal is centered around Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).  The lines would carry captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants.  CCS is very complicated but when you boil it down, the basic premise is that it captures the carbon dioxide and stores it underground (CCS) or it captures the carbon dioxide and uses it for industrial purposes, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS).  

Summit Carbon Solutions connects ethanol plants in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and South Dakota to a pipeline that leads to North Dakota where it was to be stored underground.   

Recently a North Dakota judge revoked Summit’s underground storage permit noting part of the state law the permits were issued under is unconstitutional.  The decision has larger impacts on Summit’s plans for Iowa given the company no longer has a place to sequester the CO2 proposed to be captured from 31 Iowa ethanol plants. 

North Dakota landowners are also appealing the pipeline company’s permit, with oral arguments likely held in early summer 2026. This, coupled with prohibition of eminent domain in South Dakota, means Summit has a difficult road ahead.

In Iowa, Summit is currently seeking an amendment to the permit for a portion of its Iowa route.  Summit is asking the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) to remove two major permit conditions that it cannot meet – approval in North and South Dakota. The Sierra Club Iowa Chapter is asking the Iowa Utilities Commission to deny Summit’s request for an amendment.

2nd funnel sidelines legislation

On March 20, the second funnel sidelined proposed legislation that had not been passed by one chamber of the legislature and had been moved forward by a committee in the opposite chamber.  They say that bills are never dead until the final gavel falls.  What that means is that legislation can be moved forward as amendments to other bills.  

Some of the bills we were following were sidelined by the funnel, including:

• HF2530 (formerly HSB657) would allow the Department of Natural Resources to list a water as impaired (polluted) for fecal indicator bacteria only if the species of animals contributing the manure that caused the pollution was determined through tests.  The Sierra Club opposed this bill. 

• Bill - H2690, formerly HF2447 - would require data centers to file quarterly reports on the amount of water and energy they were using.  The bill also would require a separate electric tariff for data centers that would protect other customers from the cost of providing electric service to data centers.  Sierra Club supported this bill.

• The Local Generation Act - HF2672, SSB3092, SHSB629 - that would enable community solar projects failed the funnel.  The Sierra Club supported this bill.   

The legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 21, but may continue a few days beyond that.  The Sierra Club will continue to lobby for those bills we support and will oppose bills that we do not support.

Renewable energy siting

The legislature is considering a law that would create state-wide standards for siting renewable energy projects.  Counties and cities would still review each siting project and would allow public input as part of the decision.  Counties would benefit from the taxes that the projects generate.  Landowners who choose to lease their land for renewable energy projects would benefit from the income they make from leasing their land for the projects.  This bill is ready to be debated on the House floor.  Ask your state representative to support HF2580 without amendment (formerly HSB692).  To look up your House member, see Iowa Legislature - Representatives , www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house , or to Find your legislator

Eminent domain legislation

The legislature is considering a bill that would prohibit the use of eminent domain for acquiring right-of-way for the construction or operation of a carbon oxide pipeline.  HF 2104 met the 1st and 2nd funnel deadlines in the first few weeks of the legislative session but has since stalled, awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.   

Ask your Iowa Senate member to support HF2014 without amendment, stopping the ability for carbon pipeline companies from using eminent domain on carbon oxide pipelines.  

• To find your state representative's email address, Iowa Legislature - Senators
• To locate your state representative, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find  

 Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, impacted landowners and others have been at the capitol weekly to keep the issue front and center.

Each week we come up with creative ways to get our message across.  Last week we asked that legislators not to give the keys to Iowans' farms to Summit.

Funding for water sensors

Iowans want to see improvements in Iowa's water quality - fewer beaches contaminated with E coli and microcystin toxins, fewer waters impaired with pollutants, and fewer incidents of large releases of manure and other pollutants into our water bodies.  Unfortunately, without legislative support, the water sensor network, 60 sensors that measure nitrate and nitrite pollution in Iowa's waterbodies, will go silent.

Ask your legislators to support funding Iowa's water sensor network.  There are 4 asks to maintain and improve the continuous water sensor network:

1. a one-time appropriation of $500,000 to upgrade and repair the monitoring equipment, which is 15 years old

2. $600,000 on-going annual support for the sensor network

3. by increasing the annual support for the sensor network to $1,000,000, additional pollutants could be measured 

4. the funds should be appropriated to IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa 

To look up your House member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/house   

To look up your Senate member, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate    

To find your legislators, see www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find

Cancer mortality & nuclear power plants

A peer-reviewed study titled "National analysis of cancer mortality and proximity to nuclear power plants in the United States" was recently released.  The results of the study demonstrate that we need to think very seriously before we support the expansion of nuclear power.   

In the study, the authors conclude (on page 2):

"In this work, we assess the association between county-level proximity to nuclear power plants and cancer mortality across the United States from 2000 to 2018. We find that counties located closer to operational nuclear power plants have higher cancer mortality rates, with stronger associations observed among older adults. These associations remain consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses and proximity definitions. The results highlight spatial patterns of cancer risk in relation to nuclear power generation and emphasize the importance of evaluating potential long-term health implications of nuclear energy infrastructure in population-scale studies."

In discussing their findings (on page 1), the authors said:

"Nuclear power plants emit radioactive pollutants that can disperse into the surrounding environment, leading to potential human exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and direct contact. These pollutants can be transported through air, water, and soil, contributing to long-term environmental contamination¹. Populations residing near nuclear power plants may experience low-level chronic exposure to ionizing radiation via environmental release pathways. While our study does not include dosimetry, ionizing radiation is a well-established carcinogen^2,3,4,5,6,7 and thus motivates investigation into proximity-based exposure patterns. Given these concerns, numerous studies have examined whether living near nuclear power plants is associated with an increased risk of cancer, but their findings have been inconsistent."

As stated above, this study finds a close association between high cancer mortality rates and proximity to nuclear power plants.  The study further stated (on page 2):

"The results indicate a positive association between nuclear power plants proximity and cancer mortality, with the highest relative risk observed in the 55–64 age group for females and 10 years later (65–74) in males." 

The study further notes (on page 4):

"Ionizing radiation is a well-established carcinogen, with extensive epidemiologic evidence linking radiation exposure to increased cancer risk^6,7,27. Some of the strongest evidence comes from studies of nuclear disasters, where high-dose radiation exposure has been consistently associated with increased cancer incidence."

Citation for the study

Alwadi, Y., Alahmad, B., Vieira, C.L.Z. et al. National analysis of cancer mortality and proximity to nuclear power plants in the United States. Nat Commun 17, 1560 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69285-4

Outdoor Experiences

We have several outdoor events planned for this spring.  We hope you can join us.

May 16, 9:30 am, Whitewater Canyon, Cascade, Iowa - Join us for a guided morning hike at Whitewater Canyon on Saturday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m., exploring 3 to 4 miles of scenic, steep mowed paths with a naturalist leading the way. This stunning 562-acre area just east of Cascade features dramatic 200-foot cliffs, overlooks, and the breathtaking Valley of 13 Caves, carpooling is encouraged, and an optional lunch will follow the hike. Sign up here

June 13, 10:00am to 2:00pm, Fishing Outing and More, Stuart, Iowa - Ready for an easy‑going outdoor adventure the whole family will love? Join Sierra Club Iowa Chapter for a fun‑filled afternoon of nature activities!  Check out the details and sign up

June 20, 9:00 am, Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Start your morning outdoors with a relaxed, naturalist-led hike through the trails at Indian Creek Nature Center, where you’ll discover local plants and wildlife and learn how the ecosystem changes with the seasons. This welcoming, all-ages walk takes place Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 AM (5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids) and costs $5 per person, payable at the door or online. Sign up for this event

Annual Meeting Sept. 26, 2026

Save the date.  The Iowa Chapter annual meeting will be on September 26, 2026, at the Newton Arboretum in Newton, Iowa.  We will have an exciting program of speakers plus a guided tour of the arboretum.  We plan to have an excellent meal, prepared by a local caterer. 

We'll see you in Newton on Saturday, September 26, 2026!

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 are 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 on our YouTube.  

• Carbon Pipeline Update!, March 20, 2026

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!

New Resources for Planning for the Future

The Iowa Chapter has three new resources to assist you in planning for the future - one pagers about giving via Donor Advised Funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and planned gifts. 

The flyer Donor Advised Funds (aka DAF) covers basics of Donor Advised Funds and how an individual can designate support specifically to the Iowa Chapter. 

The flyer Giving through an IRA covers how to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (aka QCD) and how it can be directed to the Iowa Chapter. 

The flyer Plan Today Protect Tomorrow covers the basics of planned giving, including bequest language to make a gift to the Iowa Chapter. 

If you need assistance, contact Julia Curtis at 800-932-4270, giftplanning@sierraclub.org .