A new report shows Iowa led the nation in the amount of wind power that came online during April, May and June. Nearly 60% of the electricity being generated in Iowa comes from wind turbines and solar installations according to the Clean Grid Alliance, a group that advocates for green energy.
Jeff Danielson, a vice president for the Clean Grid Alliance says Iowa has a trifecta when it comes to clean energy. However, Danielson says Iowa needs to continue to lead in solar, wind and battery storage applications.
“In wind energy, solar is just now maturing as utility scale solar farms, and then here comes battery storage. The trifecta for Iowa, that clean energy mix means everything."
This is Clean Energy Week, and Iowa ranks third in the nation for its capacity to store renewable energy in battery facilities. There’s currently some push back on proposed wind farms near Algona, Shenandoah and Sioux City. MidAmerican Energy has said its proposed wind farm in Woodbury County won’t move forward if county supervisors update an ordinance requiring more space between wind turbines and homes. Danielson says that resistance isn’t unexpected, as property owner often have strong opinions about what is being built around them.
A statewide virtual meeting is planned for next week to help address those concerns about drought conditions and to survey options. Field agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe, with the Iowa State University Extension, says the online meeting is free for anyone to join.
The meeting is scheduled for noon on Tuesday (August 23) and should last around 90 minutes. No pre-registration is required.
To join the meeting, visit: https://www.aep.iastate.edu/drought/view
Today is the deadline for Sioux CIty Residents to apply for an opening on the school board.
School board president Dan Greenwell says there have been some applicants. They will have a chance to speak to the board at Monday night's meeting.
Then, at the end of the week, the board will choose the replacement for former board member Dr. Juline Albert who resigned for person reasons two weeks ago. The board is waiting to make a decision till next week in case someone files a petition for a special election.
The annual Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment is taking place this weekend in Sioux City.
Floyd was the only member of the Lewis and Clark party to die during the exploration of the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. Dan Whitlock is a member of the Sergeant Floyd tri-state chapter, which recreates what was known as the Corp of Discovery Expedition.
The encampment Saturday coincides with the actual date of Sergeant Floyd in August of 1804. Whitlock says a painted rock patterned after the freedom rocks in Iowa will be dedicated as part of this year’s event. “
