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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers ready for warmer weather to help crops as dry conditions move in
Young corn growing outside of Ankeny on June 7, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa corn, soybeans, oats and hay crops all rated 80% good or excellent during the latest crop progress and condition report, even as the U.S. Drought Monitor logged most of the state in abnormally dry conditions. According to the monitor's Thursday report, 71% of the state is in abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. Soil moisture conditions, however, remained nearly consistent with last week's crop report, with around 70% of subsoil and topsoil measured with adequate moisture. John Gilbert, a Hardin County farmer with a diversified operation, said his fields were 'borderline dry' but otherwise in 'pretty good shape.' 'Actually, if there's a time to be dry, this is the time to be, because it gets the roots down,' Gilbert said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gilbert also raises livestock and said despite the drier conditions, his pastures are also in 'pretty good shape.' Across the state, pasture rated 70% good or excellent, which was a slight decrease from last week's report. According to the report, a handful of farmers started their second cutting of alfalfa hay during the reporting period, with the first cutting 77% completed across the state. Oats in the state continued to progress, with 53% headed and 10% turning color. Gilbert said his crops had been 'slow coming up' this year due to the colder temperatures, but thankfully he hasn't had to replant any areas. State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported Iowa's temperatures were 'slightly cooler' during the reporting period, but the statewide average temperature was slightly less than one degree below the normal. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the warmer temperatures and rain in the forecast 'should give the corn and soybeans a lift.' 'The crops could use some heat, and it looks like it's on the way,' Naig said. Iowans might have noticed some lingering haze in the air this week from the Canadian wildfires, which can reduce solar radiation. Glisan reported western Iowa and some parts on the eastern edge of the state saw above-average precipitation during the week, yet other areas of the state logged around a 10th of an inch for the week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Clean energy tax cuts in reconciliation budget would stall renewable energy projects in Iowa
Wind turbines along west-bound Interstate 80 on March 29, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Clean energy advocates said Iowa stands to lose jobs, manufacturing facilities, renewable energy project expansions and face more expensive utility bills if Congress passes the budget reconciliation bill as is. Many of these credits were extended via the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act, which put them under attack from Republican lawmakers opposed to the green policies. Renewable energy advocates say continued investment into wind, solar and other clean energy sources, regardless of environmental impact, is vital to meeting growing energy demands. Nearly three-fifths of Iowa's total electricity generation comes from renewable sources, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which also reports Iowa is one of the top states for solar and wind energy generation. Since 2019, Iowa has generated more electricity via wind than from coal and continues to grow its solar production. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Kristina Costa, who formerly worked at the White House implementing the Inflation Reduction Act's energy and climate policies, said the IRA established at least 10 years of tax credits to support clean energy industries, which launched new projects and expanded the industry. 'The House bill that the Republicans passed explodes that entire paradigm,' Costa said. 'It functions as a full repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act.' Costa, during a Thursday press conference with Climate Power, said the bill 'really radically' changes how clean electricity developers can plan and develop their projects, by eliminating the ability to 'lock in' a tax treatment at the start of construction. 'This is going to create a lot of uncertainty for project developers,' Costa said. 'It's going to raise financing costs for project developers pretty considerably … but it also just means that fewer projects will end up qualifying for the credits.' Clean energy tax credits impact transportation, power generation, industry and construction and create incentives for projects like renewable vehicle fuels, solar, wind, nuclear power generation and more. Per the reconciliation bill text as it passed the House May 22, the bill would terminate clean vehicle credits, residential energy efficiency credits, hydrogen fuel credits and place restrictions on credits for clean electricity production, zero-emission nuclear energy production and other sectors. Some of the restrictions include strict construction timeline requirements, like beginning construction within 60 days of enactment, and bringing the projects online by 2028. Costa said these timelines create an 'incredibly sharp cliff' for developers to work within for projects that often take years and can face lengthy setbacks from supply chain disruptions. The budget bill also has extensive language pertaining to and restricting projects that have any ties to foreign entities. Costa said these restrictions are 'very complicated, unworkable, Byzantine requirements' that impose 'a lot of red tape' for developers and would have the 'immediate effect of freezing the market.' She said it would require companies to understand where 'literally every nut, bolt, screw and wire in a project they are building comes from' and certify that it does not have any ties to China or to Russia. Costa said gutting these policies will lead to increased energy costs for American customers. A study from Clean Energy Buyers Association analyzed the impact of removing just two clean energy tax credit programs, and found it would cause an average increase of 7% for residential electricity costs. Part of the problem is an anticipated 2% energy demand increase nationwide, in 2025 and again in 2026, according to the EIA. Much of that energy demand is a result of battery manufacturing and data centers. Iowa alone has roughly 100 data centers, which is one of the largest concentrations in the midwest. 'The near term additions to the grid are going to come from renewables, or they're supposed to come from renewables under the current tax regime,' Costa said. 'That is why you would see these consumer electricity price increases.' A spokesperson for Alliant Energy, one of Iowa's utility companies with significant investments in solar and wind energy, said the company is monitoring the bill. A spokesperson for MidAmerican Energy declined to comment on the pending legislation. Earlier this year, NextEra Energy proposed restarting its Duane Arnold Energy Center, a nuclear plant near Palo. A representative from the company did not answer questions about the impact the Republican-sponsored bill would have on the Iowa project. A study from The Nature Conservancy found that clean energy tax credits in Iowa alone would add more than $238 million in annual economic value to Iowa, if left intact through 2032. Repeal of the credits would also affect associated manufacturing companies, like those that make solar panel parts, or wind turbine blades. Analysis from Climate Power found 400,000 jobs nationwide would be in jeopardy without the tax credits supporting the expanding industry. Joe Zimsen, an Iowa resident with 10 years of construction experience in the wind industry, said the IRA created a 'tremendous amount of hope' among his colleagues in the industry that has now 'disintegrated' because of budget bill. Zimsen formerly worked on wind projects near Grinnell, but now works for Renew Energy as a construction manager for off-shore wind projects. He and his family still live in Iowa, and he urged Iowa senators to oppose the bill as it is currently written. 'This policy of killing offshore and onshore wind and solar energy is going to have tremendous detrimental effects and set us back another 10 to 15 years behind our competitors, like China and Europe,' Zimsen said. 'We can't afford to do that.' U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said Tuesday that wind energy incentives have been at risk since 2015 when he worked to extend them, and he said he senators would try to find a 'compromise' on them again, Radio Iowa reported. But, the so-called, 'big beautiful bill' comprises much more than just clean energy concerns, which Grassley said means one issue can't 'stand in the way' of the rest of the bill. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's office did not respond to requests for comment. 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Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Advocates seek governor's consideration on eminent domain, PBM, 911 service boards
The Iowa Capitol on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capitol Dispatch) As Gov. Kim Reynolds weighs which bills to sign into law from the 2025 legislative session, some organizations and local officials are asking the governor to reject certain measures approved by lawmakers. The governor has until June 14 to sign into law bills passed during the 2025 session. If she does not sign or veto a measure, it is considered a 'pocket veto' and is not enacted. Although there's still a little over two weeks until the deadline, advocates are asking Reynolds to consider 'pocket' or full vetos for several bills on her desk. The highest profile bill receiving this post-session attention is House File 639, the bill relating to the use of eminent domain in carbon capture pipeline projects. Though the measure passed the Senate following a contentious debate, Reynolds has not said whether she plans to sign the bill into law. When asked about the measure on Iowa Press last week, Reynolds said her team and legal counsel are currently in the process of evaluating the bill. She said she is hearing from people on both sides of the issue about how the legislation will impact Iowa. The bill will make multiple changes to regulations and requirements for the Iowa Utilities Commission, as well as allow more people to intervene in IUC proceedings. It also changes the definition of a 'common carrier' in Iowa law and increases insurance requirements for property damage coverage and reimbursements for landowners who face higher premiums because of a pipeline on their property. 'I want to make sure that I have given individual stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in, so that I can, again, make the best-informed decision that I can, based on information I've heard,' Reynolds said. While lawmakers in support of the measure and landowners who have called for more restrictions on the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines — particularly related to the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline project — opponents to the bill said the language in the bill is too broad and could create legal problems for people who have already signed easement contracts if a project like Summit cannot be completed. This is not the only bill for which organizations are seeking further consideration: The governor has the ability to line-item veto certain elements within budget bills — a step some public safety advocates are asking for with regard to Senate File 659, this year's standings appropriations bill. The legislation is largely a budget bill dealing with various state spending obligations, but it also includes several policy components that were not passed as standalone measures during the legislative session. One of the policies including in this year's standings bill relates to costs from local 911 service boards. The measure would allow the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) to request reimbursement for 'reasonable costs' from local 911 service boards related to the delivery of 911 call traffic to public safety answering points, or PSAPs. Two organizations, the Iowa Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials and the state's National Emergency Number Association, have asked for Reynolds to veto this element of the bill, arguing it could add significant costs to local first responders that would impact their ability to perform public safety duties for Iowa communities. Chris Jasper, president of the Iowa National Emergency Number Association, said the bill's language is 'so broad' that it is difficult to tell the actual fiscal impact the measure would have on local 911 service boards. There is not a definition included in the legislation on what constitutes 'reasonable costs,' and there are not specifications on dollar amounts or how often local boards can be billed by the state under the provision. Jasper said his organization has requested clarification from the state on these questions but has not received answers. Though there are no financial estimates yet, funding coming from local first responders to the Iowa HSEMD would have to be compensated for through 'cut services, potentially cut staffing, or we would have to make up for that in raising taxes,' Jasper said. 'HSEMD sends a bill for $50,000 to a county to cover their expenses, that's $50,000 less that they have to use to purchase radio equipment for their public safety entities or to work on a project,' Jasper said. 'So they would either have to scrap that project, scrap purchasing new equipment, scrap updating their equipment, or they would have to take that $50,000 and get it from a tax increase.' Reynolds said on Iowa Press her staff is currently working on evaluating the legislation. Her office has received multiple letters and requests to veto the measure, she said, but she noted that many 911 service boards have money that is currently unspent. 'It's a critical system,' Reynolds said. 'We want to make sure that we sustain it. It's really important to keep Iowans safe. A component of this also is that they are sitting on a $66 million surplus. So, we have to take all of that into account and make sure we understand what their concerns are, what Homeland is looking at, and find a compromise that works for everyone, but most importantly that keeps that system sustainable and make sure that we are taking into account the safety of Iowans.' Jasper disputed Reynolds' characterization that the money was a 'surplus.' The figure of more than $60 million is divided between Iowa's 99 counties, and many of the projects these county boards are taking on cost millions of dollars, he said, that require savings to pursue. 'When we're talking about equipment, you know, a (computer-aided dispatch) system is a million dollars plus,' Jasper said. 'We just did a radio project here in Muscatine County that was $3.9 million — I know Scott County just did one that was $8 million. And so when you think of these counties having $600,000 in the bank, they're doing exactly what they should be doing in their planning and accounting for projects, and saving that money to cover those costs. And so it may give this perception that we're sitting on a surplus of money, but when you break it down, we're really not.' Pharmacists and health care advocates have called for Reynolds to sign Senate File 383, a bill setting new regulations and requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, the entities negotiating prescription drug prices between pharmacies, drug manufacturers and insurance providers. The legislation would make multiple changes aimed at restricting certain PBM business practices that supporters of the bill say hurt rural pharmacists, like providing financial incentives or penalties for the use of mail-order or certain pharmacies to fill prescriptions. The measure also requires PBMs reimburse prescription drug costs at the national or Iowa average acquisition cost — a higher rate than some pharmacists say they currently receive — and sets a dispensing fee of $10.68 from PBMs to pharmacists for each prescription filled at rural and small pharmacies. In a letter to Reynolds Wednesday, a group of health care organizations and advocates including the Iowa Pharmacy Association, Iowa Association of Rural Health Clinics and Bleeding Disorders of the Heartland, urged the governor to sign the bill, saying it will help pharmacies in rural Iowa stay in business. Kate Gainer, executive vice president and CEO of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, said in a statement the measure is needed to support Iowa health care providers across the state by addressing PBM practices 'that drive up costs and limit patient choice.' 'It is this imperative that has brought many of Iowa's top healthcare organizations and rural community advocates together to support the signing of SF 383 into law,' Gainer said in a statement. 'Iowa patients can't afford to wait any longer.' Pharmacists and advocates in support of the bill have said PBM practices have contributed to the closure more than 200 pharmacies across Iowa, including 31 pharmacies that closed in 2024. But some business and insurance entities have said the bill will increase health care costs for Iowans. In a statement on the bill as it went through the legislature, organizations including the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and Iowa Business Council said the legislation would increase health care costs for both businesses and individuals. A release from ABI said the bill would add an estimated $340 million in costs to private-sector health plans statewide in addition to raising costs by roughly $169 per insured Iowan each year. Joe Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council, said in a statement the measure 'will substantially increase costs for Iowa businesses and their employees' during a period of economic uncertainty. 'At a time when inflationary pressures from tariffs and other economic headwinds are bearing down on our state, we cannot afford to add further cost burdens through legislative action,' Murphy said. 'We remain committed to a thoughtful, targeted approach to PBM reform—one that supports small, independent pharmacies serving Iowa.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa crops in good condition following ‘unseasonably cool and wet' conditions last week
Iowa had below average temperatures and above average precipitation last week, according to the weekly crop report. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa's statewide temperatures were nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit below normal last week, and the state had almost double the normal amount of precipitation, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan. The rain came at a good time following corn and soybean planting, which is more than 90% complete across the state, and helped to replenish soil moisture conditions. The latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture rated corn and soybeans for the first time this season. Corn measured 83% good or excellent, and soybeans at 80% good or excellent. Most of the crops have emerged as of the May 19 through May 25 reporting period. Soybean emergence, at 60%, is eight days ahead of last year and four ahead of the average. Seventy-six percent of corn has emerged, putting it six days ahead of last year's pace and just two ahead of the average. Nearly all of the season's oat crop has emerged, and 26% has headed. Hay in the state is also reaching maturity and 40% of the first cut has been completed. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the 'cool and soggy' conditions from last week sidelined some work for farmers, who had an average of 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. 'Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,' Naig said. Indeed, the week's moisture returned soil moisture conditions to their admirable ratings from earlier this spring. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 67% adequate and 76% of topsoil conditions rated adequate for the state. Central Iowa, which saw 250-300% normal rainfall for the reporting period, had 16% of its topsoil condition rated surplus. The average temperature across the state measured 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 8 degrees below normal, according to Glisan who said the week had 'unseasonably cool and wet' conditions. Average rainfall for the period was 2.10 inches, a full inch above the normal. According to the report, many farmers are waiting for drier, warmer conditions to begin spraying their fields. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Are Iowa lakes safe for Memorial Day weekend?
Fishing at Gray's Lake park in Des Moines on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Memorial Day weekend is typically considered the opening weekend for summer water recreation, but for some Iowans the thought of diving headfirst into a lake sounds more concerning than refreshing. Driftless Water Defenders, an environmental group based in northeastern Iowa, is launching an initiative to bring awareness to the 'deteriorating quality' of Iowa's water and its impact on summer recreation. The first beach monitoring report of the season, issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, shows the department does not recommend swimming from beaches at four of the 41 monitored state lakes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DNR tests waters at the beaches weekly during the summer season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, for E. coli bacteria and microcystins. When levels of either exceed safety levels, DNR issues a beach warning which is not a closure, but an advisory to visitors that the water 'may carry a higher risk' of causing things like diarrhea, nausea or other acute symptoms. According to a press release from DNR, advisories are especially important for Iowans with weakened immune systems, young children or those who plan to swim and might ingest water. Advisories are issued when E. coli levels are higher than 235 colony forming units, or CFU, per 100 milliliters. At this threshold, the estimated illness rate is 36 minor illnesses per 1,000 swimmers. High concentrations of E. coli can also signal that other bacteria or pathogens are present in the water. The DNR beach monitoring also logs county and city beach test results. As of Friday, beaches at F.W. Kent Park, Hickory Grove Park and Lake Iowa Park had E. coli values above the standard. Microcystins, which DNR also monitors at beaches, are toxins produced by types of blue-green algae that can cause acute health effects, like rashes, nausea, diarrhea, or fever. These algal blooms appear as green 'paint-like' scum on bodies of water and should be avoided, especially if they have an oily appearance. According to DNR, Iowa saw seven microcystin-related beach advisories in 2024. The blooms occur in nutrient-rich waters, which are exacerbated by industrial and agricultural runoff. Iowa Environmental Council monitors the lake data throughout the summer as well and reported 23 state park beaches had swim advisories in 2024. IEC also noted Green Valley Lake, Honey Creek Resort Beach, and Lake Anita as the only monitored state lake beaches that have never had an E. coli related advisory. The 48 Lakes Initiative, headed by Driftless Water Defenders, will kick off Saturday at 10 lakes across the state with in-person meet ups and the distribution of water quality statistics at each lake. Attendees are encouraged to share their experiences of recreating in Iowa lakes and how it has changed over time. Chris Jones, the organization's president, said industrial agriculture practices are polluting the waters and 'depriving' Iowans of recreational opportunities. 'The Iowa citizens' dialogue we are starting today will help citizens to increase the accountability of polluters and governmental agencies responsible for enforcing the state's environmental laws and regulations,' Jones said in a statement. Those interested in attending a Saturday meet up can find more information online. The organization hopes the citizen-initiated dialogue will persist through the summer on social media and it encouraged folks to share their stories with the tags : #NoSwimEra and #48Lakes. Food and Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Progress Iowa are also supporting the initiative. Mazie Stilwell, the executive director for Progress Iowa, said the state's rivers, beaches and lakes should be enjoyed 'free of worry.' 'But for Iowans, you either enter at your own risk or heed the warnings for fear of getting sick,' Stilwell said in a statement. 'Iowans are making it clear they're done with politicians and wealthy executives who let these waters deteriorate … These are our waters, it's time we turn the tide and clean them up.' Lake temperatures are still fairly chilly for swimming, as the latest fishing report issued by DNR shows most waters measured in the mid 60s, but the department encouraged Iowans to wear lifejackets and stay safe if they do decide to take a plunge. Additionally DNR reminded those camping at state parks to avoid transporting firewood, as it can spread insects like the emerald ash borer or oak wilt. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
