Energy bill calls for climate change study

DES MOINES - House members debated whether Iowa can become energy independent while approving legislation that included a study of energy production activities and use on global climate change Saturday.

Senate File 471 would make organizational changes in the state Office of Energy Independence and creates a framework for drawing down

what is hoped to be millions of dollars in federal energy funds, Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine, said. The office will receive approximately $50 million in additional federal support over the next three years. He estimated the state could see upwards of $200 million in energy-related construction projects.

"This is an opportunity to truly maximize the effort of creating jobs throughout the state through energy-related programming," he said. It will help state government to run more energy efficiency programs, more renewable fuels programs and more alternative energy programs, Reichert said.

However, Rep. Ralph Watts, D-Adel, called Iowa energy independence a pipedream. For example, he said, Iowa must import natural gas to process corn into ethanol.

"That's OK, but we don't need to delude ourselves into thinking we can be energy independent. We can't," Watts said. "It's time to talk about realism in the energy business."

Wind can provide a percentage of the state's electrical needs, but Iowa will have to rely on other sources to meet its base load needs, he added.

Reichert rejected that argument.

"I do not share Rep. Watts' view that Iowa cannot obtain this objective," he said. "Iowans are incredibly ingenious, innovative and creative people."

SF 471 will make it possible to tap into more $6 billion for innovative technology, $2 billion in energy efficiency and renewable energy funds, $400 million advanced research and more funds that Reichert said Iowa can use "to be a lifeboat to renewable fuels businesses, to our biodiesel industry to our emerging wind industry."

Rep. Rod Robert, R-Carroll, supported the bill, citing its importance to rural Iowa communities that are pinning their hopes on the renewable energy industry.

The House approved SF 471 79-15 and sent it back to the Senate where floor manager Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, said the House amendments would be accepted.