State plan aims to guide Iowa energy policy, goals

DES MOINES - A new state plan for Iowa's energy policies, unveiled Wednesday, will serve as a framework for current and future state leaders, officials hope.

With the ultimate goal of establishing an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system for the state, the Iowa Energy Plan establishes priorities and strategies for energy production over the next decade.

The state offices of the governor, economic development and transportation collaborated with energy experts and Iowa residents for more than a year to compile the 91-page report.

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday at a news conference that Iowa is in a strong position on energy production thanks largely to its renewable energy portfolio featuring wind energy, ethanol and biodiesel fuels, and that the energy plan will help the state continue to maximize the impact of those resources.

'It will help us ensure Iowa continues to lead well into the future,” Reynolds said. 'The Iowa Energy Plan and its recommendations will provide a clear pathway to do just that.”

The plan, which can be viewed online at iowaenergyplan.org, details dozens of objectives and strategies, but overall is guided by four categories - economic development, energy efficiency and conservation, energy resources and transportation and infrastructure - and seven key strategies: expanding energy workforce development, research and development, rural and underserved areas, natural gas, biomass, and alternative fuel vehicles, and modernizing the state's electrical grid.

The plan does not contain suggestions for specific legislation or programs. Reynolds said leaders wanted to provide a framework for future leaders without creating a mandate.

'We also wanted to create a plan that articulated a clear vision for the future but a plan that also provided recommendations that were flexible and broad enough to be implemented by experts and stakeholders in each space,” Reynolds said. 'We highlighted those (seven strategies) because we think that that's something that can be implemented relatively quickly and can provide some significant economic opportunities.”

Reynolds said the administration believes the federal government will be a supportive partner with Iowa's renewable energy industries and policies, despite pending key Cabinet appointments of individuals who in the past have not supported various renewable energy programs.

'We got the assurance from President-elect (Donald) Trump,” Reynolds said. 'He sets the policy. He sets the directions, and then the directors are really tasked with fulfilling what the administrative goals are. We've heard it from Trump that they're not going to impact what we're doing with renewable energy.”

Reynolds said working groups will meet to discuss how to implement the plan's myriad recommendations and determine whether legislative or program proposals are needed.

'Today, although it marks the end of our long and comprehensive planning process, it really is more of a beginning. And it's where the true work really begins,” Reynolds said. 'I cannot wait to work with all of these dedicated Iowans, to get down to business and implement a lot of the strategies that were highlighted in the plan.”