Democrats push legislation to make Iowa energy independent
Posted: Wednesday, March 07, 2007
DES MOINES (AP) -- Democrats continued their push for a reformed energy policy on Tuesday, introducing legislation to have Iowa energy independent by 2025.
House Democrats introduced the Energy Independence Act, which would, among other things, create a new Director of Energy Independence and an advisory council to support renewable energy efforts.
"Iowa can be a leader in new energy technology," said Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine. "We need to bring together the best minds ... We need to have the best and brightest."
Reichert defined energy independence for Iowa as a point when the state is both "self reliant" and a leading exporter of energy.
The measure was scheduled to be debated in the House Commerce Committee later in the day.
Democrats have stressed that addressing Iowa's energy independence is one of their key remaining goals for the 2007 legislative session. With a legislative funnel looming at the end of the week, Democrats planned to move the bill out of committee on Tuesday so that it could be debated by the full House.
House Democrats said the bill would work in tandem with similar efforts in the Senate.
Democrats will also work to incorporate $100 million in funding for the Iowa Power Fund, a fund proposed by Gov. Chet Culver that would give additional state funding over four years to expand research, development and production of renewable energy.
Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the legislation in the House and Senate is important to Iowa's future.
"We are hemorrhaging billions of dollars ... to out of state and out of country fossil fuel producers," Hogg said. "We need to reverse that trend."
House Democrats introduced the Energy Independence Act, which would, among other things, create a new Director of Energy Independence and an advisory council to support renewable energy efforts.
"Iowa can be a leader in new energy technology," said Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine. "We need to bring together the best minds ... We need to have the best and brightest."
Reichert defined energy independence for Iowa as a point when the state is both "self reliant" and a leading exporter of energy.
The measure was scheduled to be debated in the House Commerce Committee later in the day.
Democrats have stressed that addressing Iowa's energy independence is one of their key remaining goals for the 2007 legislative session. With a legislative funnel looming at the end of the week, Democrats planned to move the bill out of committee on Tuesday so that it could be debated by the full House.
House Democrats said the bill would work in tandem with similar efforts in the Senate.
Democrats will also work to incorporate $100 million in funding for the Iowa Power Fund, a fund proposed by Gov. Chet Culver that would give additional state funding over four years to expand research, development and production of renewable energy.
Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the legislation in the House and Senate is important to Iowa's future.
"We are hemorrhaging billions of dollars ... to out of state and out of country fossil fuel producers," Hogg said. "We need to reverse that trend."
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