Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Governor Culver Promotes Power Fund In Western Iowa
Governor touts potential economic impact of Iowa Power Fund
(DES MOINES) Today, Governor Chet Culver traveled to Council Bluffs and Sioux City to promote the Iowa Power Fund and tout its potential economic impact on the state.
“America and the world are counting on Iowa to succeed in this new energy economy,” said Governor Culver. “When we do, we will harvest rewards beyond our wildest imagination, and make Iowa the Silicon Valley of the Midwest.
“We will be able to create the jobs of the future that will keep your kids and my kids at home where they belong. And, I have an innovative, thoughtful plan to do it: the Iowa Power Fund.”
The Governor first traveled to Council Bluffs to deliver remarks at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Meeting.
Governor Culver then went to Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City to hold a roundtable discussion on renewable energy and the potential impact of the Iowa Power Fund.
The $100 million Iowa Power Fund is currently being debated in the legislature. The purpose of the Power Fund is to invest in and attract cutting edge research and development related to renewable energy.
According to Governor Culver, “It will also allow us to lead the nation in entrepreneurship, commercialization and small business development, related to these new technologies. It will allow Iowa companies to get started and expand to meet the needs of emerging markets. Finally, it will help us create jobs, not just in urban areas, but jobs close to the land in rural Iowa too.
“Ethanol, E-85 and biodiesel have been great for this state. We have literally built new industries, created new wealth and developed entirely new markets for our ‘value-added’ products. The impact of these new fuels on Iowa is not to be discounted, and the facts highlight the incredible impact they have had on our state. Iowa has been the clear leader in these biofuels.
“However, we can’t stop now! We must take on the challenge of maintaining this leadership. For Iowa, this marks the launch of a ‘next generation energy economy.’”