Iowa Clean Energy Groups Fear ‘Uncertainty’ in Trump’s Second Term
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The article discusses concerns surrounding the future of clean energy in Iowa following Donald Trump’s election and his pledge to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act has been a major source of federal investments in clean energy. Advocates from different environmental groups argue the benefits of clean energy for local communities, job growth, and cost-saving measures.
Clean Energy Future of Iowa Amid Trump’s Presidency
Uncertainty surrounds Iowa’s clean energy future post Trump’s election, given his pledge to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act. The Act, which funded significant federal investments in clean energy, could be replaced by a focus on boosting fossil fuel production, such as oil, natural gas, and coal.
The Inflation Reduction Act has been instrumental in driving the return of manufacturing jobs to the Midwest, according to Bob Keefe, the executive director of E2, a nonpartisan environmental research group. Kerri Johannsen, Iowa Environmental Council’s energy program director, further adds that the Act’s clean energy investments help save money for families, small businesses and communities.
Advocates for Renewable Energy
Advocates like Johannsen see renewable energy as not only a tool for cutting toxic pollution but also an economic driving force. She advocates for the continuation of cost-reducing tools for Iowans grappling with escalating energy prices.
Andy Johnson, executive director of the Clean Energy Districts of Iowa, believes in the undeniable benefits of clean energy, and feels they are too significant to be overlooked. He particularly emphasizes the fundamental role of IRA renewable energy tax credits for prosperity and lower electric rates in Iowa.
Resistance to Renewable Energy Unlikely
Jason MacDuff, president of the Iowa Energy Fund, shows little concern over renewable energy’s future in Iowa. He views renewable energy as a key for reducing costs, especially for low- to moderate-income Iowans. He expects tactics behind renewable energy, like incentive programs and tax rebates, to possibly change but the fundamentals to remain the same.
About 60% of Iowa’s total electricity generation in 2023 came from renewable resources, making it the second-largest wind power producer, second only to Texas. MacDuff doesn’t expect this status quo to change significantly regardless of the political climate.
Concerns over the Future of Renewable Energy
Despite the optimism of some, others like Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, fear that the job growth and investments in clean energy might be negatively impacted under Trump’s presidency. He warns that rollbacks in renewable energy policies could most hurt working-class Americans in Republican states rather than liberals in California or New York.
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