Iowans Support Renewable Energy!

Renewables provide clean, affordable energy, bring millions in private economic investment to Iowa, helping local economies and farmers, while bringing in new businesses and jobs.  

“Access to renewable energy …is a key part of a company’s decision-making process on where to locate.”
Ron-Corbett
Ron CorbettFormer Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, Vice President, Economic Development, Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance
“I believe renewable energy is a part of the future for rural counties.”
Linda-Langston
Linda LangstonFormer Linn County Supervisor
“Sustainable solar farms will help bring 21st century jobs for our community.”
Bret-Nilles
Bret NillesLinn County Democratic Party Chairperson and a retired finance manager from Rockwell Collins Aerospace
“By tapping into solar energy sources, Iowa can draw incredible investment opportunities. These investments power Iowa small town economies.”
Libby Jacobs
Libby JacobsFormer state representative and former member of the Iowa Utilities Board
“We’re not full-time farmers. So, when we inherited the farm from our mom, leasing a small corner to solar was the only way to keep it in our family.”
Renee Potts
Renee PottsPalo, Iowa
"Wind is a critical part of our nation’s all of the above energy strategy. It creates thousands of jobs, supports economic development, boosts tax receipts, attracts investment in our state and puts extra money in farmers’ pockets.”
Chuck Grassley
Sen. Chuck Grassley
“It is really so great. Iowa is leading the way…with our renewables. We receive so much of our electricity from wind turbines, and now we see more solar, and, of course, with renewable fuels. It is pretty remarkable for a state to be able to cover so many different avenues of sustainable energy.”
Joni Ernst
Sen. Joni Ernst
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Renewables are improving lives in Iowa

Private Investment

$23 billion invested in Iowa from wind, solar and battery storage.

Source: American Clean Power

Money for Schools, Roads, First Responders

$58.8 million in property, state and local taxes paid in 2022 by clean energy.

Source: American Clean Power

Jobs

8,961 jobs supported on average from wind energy investment and construction.

3,238 jobs supported each year through 2025 from solar investment and construction.

Source:  Iowa Conservative Energy Forum

Support for Farmers

$70.2 million in land lease payments to Iowa landowners in 2022.

Source: American Clean Power

Companies Expand or Locate in Iowa

Apple in Waukee, Iowa

10,000 Apple supported jobs before an expansion which will add about 550 local jobs.

Sources: Daily Iowan, Apple, WeAreIowa

Google in Council Bluffs, Iowa

More than 900 jobs created through on-site data centers.

Source:  Google

Facebook in Altoona, Iowa

300 people employed. 

Source:  Des Moines Register

Wind energy production in Iowa has led to the construction of 10 wind turbine manufacturing plants in the state.

Source:  Des Moines Register

Frequently Asked Questions

Percentage of farmland used

Both projects, combined, would use less than 1% of Linn County farmland. That farmland is voluntarily leased to the projects by farmers, who are best suited to decide what is best for their land and families. 

Solar panels are solid

Solar panels are solid and sealed and cannot be penetrated by rainwater. In the same way the screens on the smartphones we carry with us all the time do not leak, solar panels do not leach. 

Removal of solar panels

At the end of the project the companies must remove all the panels and equipment and return the land to its original state. 

Solar panels are safe for the enviroment

As the Sierra Club states: Solar power “has no carbon emissions and NO other harmful toxic emissions, including mercury, lead and cadmium.”

Soil preservation

Proper soil management during the project contributes to agricultural sustainability. Farmers can resume planting crops after decommissioning if they choose.

Solar energy generated will power local homes

Power from both proposed Linn County solar farms will help power local Linn County residents. Coggon solar farm will flow to the Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, and power from the Duane Arnold solar farm will serve Alliant customers in Iowa.

Protecting the land

Solar developers make plans to control erosion and runoff by adding vegetation around the panels, as well as beautify the site with natural buffers.  They also set aside money to restore the land to the same or better condition it was in before, after the solar farm lease ends, so farmers can resume crop farming, if they wish.

Wind Turbines and Wildlife

According to the Clean Energy Association: “Wind power is far less harmful to wildlife than traditional energy sources it displaces, including to birds and their critical habitats. Overall, wind causes less than 0.01% of all human-related bird deaths. Other causes include buildings (550 million), power lines (130 million), cars (80 million), pesticide poisoning, (67 million), and radio and cell towers (6.8 million).”

No taxpayer money needed

The construction of wind and solar farms is not funded by the government or taxpayers, but rather private companies making an investment in renewables.  No local tax dollars will be used to build these projects.

Our mission

Iowans are already benefiting from reliable, affordable and clean renewable energy, and we lead the nation in wind power. As solar energy generation grows in Iowa, the benefits of renewable energy can be shared by greater numbers of Iowans.

At Bright Future Iowa, we will help more Iowans understand the benefits these projects provide to our state, our communities and our farmers. Renewable energy is a safe source of revenue and economic growth.

 

A note from our chairman

Swati Dandekar
I’ve dedicated my life to service and helping the people of Iowa. From my early days as a school board member to my time as a Linn County area State Senator, I’ve always believed in the importance of a diverse, affordable, and clean energy system that supports Iowans.
Swati Dandekar
Chairman of Bright Future Iowa

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