Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Governor Culver Holds Renewable Energy Rountable in Osage
Governor Holds First Roundtable Discussion on Power Fund in Mitchell County
(Osage) Today, Governor Chet Culver held a roundtable on renewable energy with business and community leaders in Osage to discuss his vision for the Iowa Power Fund and seek input for innovative ways to use the Fund.
“The projects here in Mitchell County are examples of what should be done throughout the state, and
throughout the country,” said Governor Culver. 
“These are perfect examples of how the Power Fund could
be used to promote the next generation of renewable energy. If we want to wean ourselves off foreign
oil, we must fund renewable energy research and development and promote energy efficiency. Iowa can’t
afford to wait. I am thrilled to be sitting around a table with innovative leaders in this area to
discuss how we should move forward.”
The roundtable was held at Fox River Mills, a knitting mill that is a leader in environmental engineering and energy conservation and a manufacturer. As part of the Osage Municipal Utilities demand-side management program, Fox River has reduced their energy costs by more than 30 percent. In addition, Fox River recycles nearly 450,000 pounds of materials each year. The Iowa company is famous for its organic socks and socks made from corn-based fibers.
Fox River Mills is providing space for the future site of RENEW Energy – Briq Systems (REBS), the same site used for the roundtable. REBS was created in December of 2006 to mass produce biomass fuel briquettes. These briquettes will be made from biomass items from within the North Central Iowa region including things like; oat hulls from Grain Millers, off grade DDGs from our regional ethanol plants, cardboard, pallets, and saw dust from regional industries. REBS has established a strategic marketing partnership with a marketer of biomass furnaces to commercial and industrial customers. REBS will begin producing this biomass fuel at Fox River Mills in April.
“I wanted to hold my first roundtable on the Iowa Power Fund in Osage because this community has led the way on energy efficiency and renewable energy for decades,” said Governor Culver. In 1974, as a result of the Arab oil embargo and rising fuel prices, Osage Municipal Utilities started a successful energy efficiency program to stabilize residential and commercial energy use.
Other participants in the roundtable discussion include:
- Cedar River Wind Farm – A community-based wind farm;
- CERMA Technologies – A company headquartered in Mitchell Co. that markets and distributes a wide array of environmentally-friendly ceramic lubricants;
- Absolute Energy – A 100 million gallon ethanol production facility that will begin production in late 2007.
During the discussion, Governor Culver outlined his vision for the Iowa Power Fund, which included the following points:
- The overall goal is to make Iowa more energy independent, and to create and keep wealth in the state.
- The fund will be used to spur research and commercialization of technologies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- A new office within the office of the governor will be created to further the goals of the Iowa Power fund. The office will be led by a new Director of Renewable Energy.
- A new Power Fund Council will be created to determine which projects hold the most promise for the state. It will include members who have demonstrated expertise in renewable energy, research and development of new technologies, and energy efficiency. It will also include members of agencies with expertise in this area, including IDED, IDNR, and Iowa Utilities Board.