The approval came with three main conditions attached to it:
– The burning of bio-mass must reach 5 percent of the plant’s capacity within 2 years and 10 percent within 5 years.
– The company’s energy supply must be 10 percent renewable energy when the plant goes online in 2013. The use of renewable energy must then increase 1 percent annually for 15 years.
– The IUB will periodically review the feasibility of retrofitting carbon capture technology, which deals with capturing the emissions from generating power, and reserves the right to require Alliant to install that technology at its new plant.
A written ruling to further explain the terms of these conditions will be issued in a few weeks.
At first glance, this ruling seems like a decent compromise. It would require Alliant to further increase their investment in renewable energy and would require them to close older, inefficient coal plants.
My main question is on enforcement. What would be the punishment, if in 15 years, Alliant fails miserable to increase their energy supply from renewable sources?
The investments in renewable energy and the ability to retrofit the plant with carbon capture technology are a step in the right direction. However, as a local resident, I still have concerns about other environmental factors in my community, such as the release of mercury and other pollutants into the air and water.
The bond issue to renovate the Polk County Courthouse failed yesterday by just over 4,000 votes as only 43% of voters supported badly needed repairs and additions to the facility. It’s saddening that a small group of anti-tax zealots were able to take advantage of low turnout special-election in order to defeat a badly needed […]
Obama now has the support of 6 of Iowa’s Super Delegates, while Clinton has 3. There are 2 that are still undecided.
Obama Supporters DNC member Richard Machacek U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley Gov. Chet Culver Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald deputy state party Chairwoman Sarah Swisher
Clinton Supporters U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal DNC member Sandy Opstvedt
Undeclared Super delegates U.S Senator Tom Harkin state party Chairman Scott Brennan
The President did a good job of responding to the typically liberal press corps today.Take a look at today’s video. Carefully listen to the President’s actual words and then compare it with the coverage. You will therein find the answer to any ques…
Charles Schumer (who is not illegitimate grandchild of Meyer Lansky) trampled a few bystanders and grabbed the microphone today to tell the American people that drilling in ANWR wouldn’t produce any oil for ten years.Schumer took his argument right f…
Barack Obama gained the support from one of Iowa’s superdelegates. Richard Machacek announced today that he has decided to support Barack Obama. Machacek, from Buchanan County, is a member of the State Central Committee and Democratic National Committee.
“I think it needs to be over, and in good conscience, I can’t fly in the face of my precinct, county and district,” Machacek told The Des Moines Register in a telephone interview. “The raw numbers coming out of the district conventions really sat me down hard.”
Obama leads the Iowa superdelegate count with 5, while Clinton has 3, and 3 remain undeclared.
Obama Supporters Richard Machacek U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Gov. Chet Culver Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald deputy state party Chairwoman Sarah Swisher
Clinton Supporters U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal DNC member Sandy Opstvedt
Undeclared Superdelegates U.S Senator Tom Harkin U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley state party Chairman Scott Brennan
The Fallon campaign released this video last week. When I read that it was a rap video, I thought it was going to be corny, but it is actually pretty good.
This video highlights where Ed Fallon stands on economic issues and shows how Boswell has sided with big money interests over the interests of the people he supposedly represents.
