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Governor Ties Cities, Utilities to State GoalsFebruary 2007Utility officials in Iowa received high praise from Governor Chet Culver – and were singled out as key components in plans he’s devising for the future of the state – as he helped kick off IAMU’s 2007 Annual Conference with the keynote address February 13. "You’re helping us as a state, and you’re helping us to put Iowa on the map as an energy pioneer. We in state government are grateful for the partnership we have with all of you," the Governor told conference attendees. "Whether it’s soy oil in Waverly, or the new wind storage facility in Dallas Center, Iowa is already on the energy frontier," he stated. The Governor stated his intentions to work with the people of the state to reduce energy consumption and change the way they view the subject of energy use – with a goal of making Iowa the first state in America to declare energy independence. "But we must work with the people of this state to change the focus on what they do – to think more about energy efficiency," he said. "We need to convince Iowa to make changes – it’s not just ‘gonna happen.’" Culver said he will be proposing more incentives to help Iowans make their lives and homes more energy efficient, and that effort will involve far more than simply offering energy efficiency home audits. "We must work with organizations like this (IAMU) to partner with others to help make this happen," he said."I want Iowa to be as diversified as it can be (regarding energy efficiency)," he related, saying, "We hold the cards, and have the tools." The Governor said Iowa is leading the nation in ethanol development, and is third in the nation in wind-related projects. "But," he cautioned, "there’s a lot of competition out there," citing states such as Wisconsin, Illinois and California that also have major energy efficiency plans in motion. "We’re ahead in many ways," he said, "But we need to stay ahead." To help achieve that goal, the Governor told the IAMU audience that he has asked the Iowa legislature to support a $100 million Iowa Power Fund, which he said will improve Iowa in many ways, including growing, expanding and creating new Iowa businesses; creating new jobs, especially in rural areas; attracting millions of dollars in federal grants; helping Iowa to become part of cutting edge research and development; and creating millions of dollars in private investment. The Governor also noted that amidst all these plans for growth, the environment must also be protected, and among his plans to assist in that goal is a $20 million fund for municipal water improvement in the state. "Our dreams of an amazing future – a future of energy independence – are within reach," he concluded.
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To support and strengthen Iowa's municipal utilities |