Renewable Energy, particularly the Renewable Fuels Standard, has been in the national spotlight as many Presidential candidates campaign across Iowa. As one of the leading states in renewable energy development and implementation, the topic of moving forward and continuing to innovate in such an important industry was a major talking point during Tuesday’s Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature. Governor Terry Branstad told those convening for the 86th General Assembly that as far back as the 1980s, Iowa began investing in the renewable energies of ethanol, bio-diesel and wind.
Looking at where we are today, he said we produce significantly more ethanol than we consume in gasoline, offering our consumers more choices and better prices at the pump. We are the leading bio-diesel producing state in the nation and wind generates nearly 30 percent of Iowa’s electricity; more than any other state in the country. Branstad added, we must, however, keep looking to the future.
Lt. Governor, Kim Reynolds, is chairing a statewide effort to develop an energy plan, to help set priorities for the future and to outline goals and strategies to keep our energy costs low and facilitate energy development and growth, such as what we are already seeing in wind energy.
Renewable energies, Branstad said, equals income for farmers, revenue for local governments and jobs for Iowans.
