The state has released the results of its public water testing for the chemicals known as PFAS. The DNR's Corey McCoid says this testing covers 116 water supplies in 99 communities. "Fifty-nine-percent, or almost 60% of the water supplies had no detect of PFAS that we identified. And then we had … [Read more...]
Iowa Supreme Court rules in electric transmission line case
The Iowa Supreme Court has overturned lower court rulings that blocked two Missouri-based utility companies from building new electric transmission lines in the state. LS Power Midcontinent and Southwest Transmission challenged a law passed in 2020 that gave those who already owned electric lines … [Read more...]
EPA proposes standards for PFAS chemicals in water
Water utilities in Iowa and nationwide would be required to monitor drinking water for six so-called "forever chemicals" under a proposal from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. The measure sets legally enforceable levels for PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The health concerns of these … [Read more...]
State regulators discuss timelines for two proposed carbon pipeline hearings
The Iowa Utilities Board heard from the attorneys representing two companies which hope to build carbon dioxide pipelines today as they try to work out scheduling issues for their permit requests. IUB chair, Geri Huser asked a series of questions of Wolf Carbon Solutions attorney Amanda James, … [Read more...]
MidAmerican testing utility trucks which run on batteries
MidAmerican Energy says it is the first utility company in the state to try all-electric utility trucks. Company spokesman, Geoff Greenwood, says these are the large bucket trucks that allow them to get up in the air and work on power lines. "These trucks have two different batteries on board -- … [Read more...]
Five counties along pipeline route hire legal counsel
Five northeast Iowa counties are hiring an attorney to respond to development of a carbon capture pipeline. Navigator's proposed Heartland Greenway pipeline would run through 33 Iowa counties, covering about 800 miles. Delaware County Supervisor Shirley Helmrichs says it makes sense to unite with … [Read more...]
ISU wins grant to research farming land that includes solar arrays
Iowa State University researchers are studying an emerging field called agrivoltaics, the practice of farming on land where solar power is being generated. Matt O’Neal, an ISU professor of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, says the team will be planting a variety of fruits and … [Read more...]
IUB to hold meeting on logistics for Summit Carbon pipeline permit process
The Iowa Utilities Board has issued a schedule for the permit application process for Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. The IUB order says it will hold a technical conference on March 15th at 10 a.m. at its Des Moines office to discuss logistics for the hearing and to … [Read more...]
Iowa House GOP leaders propose new rules for carbon pipelines
The speaker of the Iowa House and 21 of his GOP colleagues have introduced a bill that could delay or possibly derail proposed carbon pipeline projects in Iowa. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, is a lead sponsor. "I am standing up for landowners that were there first," Holt … [Read more...]
Bill would limit placement of solar arrays on farm ground
A key senator is proposing new restrictions for commercially owned solar installations placed on farmland. Senate Ag Committee chairman Dan Zumbach said the goal is to establish limits on how close solar arrays may be to property lines, farm buildings and homes. "Most people that live around … [Read more...]