Progressive Democrat Issue 112: IOWA FOCUS

Iowa is doing good things. They beat the US Congress in approving a minimum wage increase. Freshman Congressman Dave Loebsack was one of the first of the new Congressmen to visit our troops in Iraq. And now they are progressing on an Energy Independence bill which aims to have Iowa independent of foreign oil by 2025. From Iowa State Representative Elesha Gayman's newsletter:

ENERGY INDEPENDENCE ACT

The House Commerce Committee passed House File 498, which sets a goal for Iowa to become energy independent by 2025. The bill creates an Iowa Energy Independence Office with an advisory council of persons with expertise in energy related fields to assist the office in carrying out its duties, including the following:

• Develop a comprehensive plan to achieve state independence from foreign energy sources by 2025.

• Coordinate all state funded energy related programs.

• Assist all Iowans to increase energy efficiency and use of alternative and renewable energy.

House File 438 also establishes an Iowa Power Fund administered by the Department of Economic Development in coordination with the director of the Iowa Energy Independence Office. The Iowa Power Fund will invest in alternative and renewable energy development and production, energy efficiency research and technological innovation, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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