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The Exchange May 17, 2017

The Exchange 051717

12:00-12:01  Billboard

Coming up on The Exchange, we will talk about renewable energy in Iowa.  Wind and solar energy have expanded rapidly in the state and in Siouxland for residential and corporate use.  Wind energy is now used by Iowa’s largest utilities, with a goal of 100 percent renewable energy sources.

Rogers

Despite the growth of wind energy, there are some who say the huge turbines are both a physical and mental annoyance.

Janna

We will also talk about some ideas to use solar energy for farming. That’s coming up on The Exchange.

Welcome to The Exchange, on Siouxland Public Media. I’m Mary Hartnett.  Today, it is hard to believe that we rarely even talked about solar energy or wind energy, or any other renewable fuels.  Now, driving across Iowa, turbines dot the landscape as you drive past Des Moines on I-80.  Iowa is first in the nation when it comes to wind generation and second in the nation in terms of wind power capacity.  The electric power company MidAmerican Energy is behind many of those turbines and is aiming for 85 percent wind power and 100 renewable energy.  The company has used tax credits and easements on farm land to vastly expand the use of wind power in Iowa, and Northwest Iowa has more turbines than any other part of the state. 

Solar panels, which used to be a rarity, now are seen on the roofs of many Siouxland homes and businesses.  Today we are going to talk about the progress of solar and wind energy in Iowa and also about some of concerns that people have about these sources of renewable energy.  We reached out MidAmerican Energy, but so far have not heard from the company.

Dolf Ivenor is an innovator in solar power.  He is a farmer who has harnessed solar power to use in his hog operation and to water his fields in Woodbury County. 

John Rogers who a senior analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He conducted a survey where he ranked the states on several areas of their use and promotion of clean energy.  He is on the phone from Massachusetts.  (Phone number)

John, you looked at several variables concerning the state’s use renewable energy.  What were they?

What did you find? 

How did you rank Iowa?  Why so high?

Janna Swanson own lands and farms, with her husband, Paul, in Palo Alto County near Ayrshire. 

She is a member of the Coalition for Rural Property Rights.  Swanson lives near some wind turbines and she says they have sometimes damaged drainage tile systems and made aerial applications difficult.  But perhaps the hardest problems connected with the wind turbines have to do with the physical and mental stress they can cause.

2:35

In: “There has been a lot of . . .”

Out: “. . . adequately.”

That was Janna Swanson, who lives on a farm in Aryshire in Palo Alto County.  She lives near wind turbines and is a member of the Coalition for Property Rights.

Illnesses?  Mental, physical?

What do we need to do keep this progress going?

Research into renewable energy.  Stats, Iowa, illnesses???

John Rogers who a senior analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He conducted a survey where he ranked the states on several areas of their use and promotion of clean energy.  He is on the phone from Massachusetts.  

You’re listening to The Exchange on Siouxland Public Media. I’m Mary Hartnett.  Today we are talking about renewable energy, solar energy and wind energy.  Wind energy has boosted the rural economy and provided many new jobs in rural Iowa.  Here to talk about that is

Daniel Lutat. Lutat is the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Program at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, as well as the Director of the Technology and Sustainable Resources Program.

It seems like your program has become increasingly popular.  I know that is a really hands-on kind of learning experience.

Wind technology has grown so much over the last few years.  How much do you think it has affected Iowa’s economy?

What do you see happening to wind tech in the future?

Do you think there is something going on with people who say they are experiencing physical and mental issues because they are so close to the turbines?  Is this something that can be fixed?

You’re listening to the Exchange on Siouxland Public Media.  I’m Mary Hartnett.  Today we are talking about renewable energy in Iowa and Siouxland in particular. 

I am talking with Dolf Ivenor— the founder of the Sioux City based company “Hog Power Energy.”  It uses a self-contained solar generator that Ivenor also sells to other farmers.  Dolf, how does the system work?

How much does it cost?

You also use solar power to water your fields. 

You have a deal with MidAmerican Engergy?

Living off the grid?  Is it possible?

A combo of wind and solar power?

You’re listening to The Exchange, on Siouxland Public Media, I’m Mary Hartnett.  Today we are talking about renewable energy in Iowa with Dolf Ivenor, a farmer in Woodbury County,  and the creator of a solar powered system he uses for his hog operation and another to power the pivot irrigation for his fields.

We are also talking about wind energy with Daniel Lutat. Lutat is the Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Program at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, as well as the Director of the Technology and Sustainable Resources Program.