State edict stifles Iowa City's climate leadership

When we talk about local climate action, the conversation usually revolves around the visible pieces, such as solar panels on rooftops, incentives for home electrification, expanded bike lanes and fare-free transit. But behind the scenes are the policies and codes that quietly determine whether a city’s climate goals can actually take hold.

From building performance standards to zoning incentives to data transparency, these regulatory tools are the levers that make big goals operational. They are also part of a long-standing tradition of Home Rule in Iowa, which recognizes local governments are best positioned to respond to the unique needs and priorities of their communities. When states step in to prohibit local governments from taking action, it doesn’t just slow down progress. It effectively ties communities’ hands.

One of the most counterproductive examples is House File 605, passed in 2023, which prohibits Iowa cities from requiring energy benchmarking or building performance standards. This law blocks communities from even asking building owners to track and disclose how much energy they consume — a practice proven to lower emissions and save money over time.

Cities across the country have shown that simply making building energy data transparent drives voluntary improvements. Tenants can see which buildings are wasting energy, and owners gain a market incentive to upgrade outdated systems. It’s one of the most cost-effective tools available to cut emissions at scale, without heavy-handed mandates.

Yet Iowa law preempts local governments from adopting this common sense measure. For a city like Iowa City, which has already surpassed a 45% emissions reduction and has set ambitious climate goals, this creates a frustrating paradox. Local leaders are expected to reduce greenhouse gases but are denied basic policy tools to get there.

To their credit, Iowa City staff and the Climate Action Commission have found creative workarounds. The most notable is tying participation in energy benchmarking to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements. If a developer seeks public financing incentives, they can voluntarily agree to higher energy standards and transparency measures as part of the deal.

But state preemption of local environmental policy is a barrier to innovation and self-determination. Communities should have the freedom to adopt evidence-based strategies that reflect local values and needs. Iowa City residents have consistently voiced strong support for climate action, and their local government has responded with thoughtful plans and measurable results. State policy shouldn’t undermine that progress.

The success of Iowa City’s climate initiatives demonstrates what’s possible when communities have the flexibility to lead. If we want to build a resilient, low-carbon future, we need state policies that empower cities to act, not laws that force them to fight with one hand tied behind their back.

Zachary D. Slocum is a resident of Iowa City, with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in public Affairs from the University of Iowa.