Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Governor Culver Appoints John Bilsten To Power Fund Board
(Des Moines) Today Governor Chet Culver appointed John Bilsten, 41, of Algona to the Iowa Power Fund board. Bilsten is the general manager of Algona Municipal Utilities. He replaces Glenn Cannon, who stepped down from the board on December 31, 2007. Cannon retired in late December and his retirement plans include spending significant time out of state, both for personal travel and his new role in consulting.
Governor Culver said, “I pleased that John Bilsten has agreed to serve on the Power Fund Board. This board has been charged with managing $100 million over four years and John has the experience and expertise to step in and help make important energy decisions that affect Iowans and the environment. I also want to thank Glenn Cannon for his initial work in getting the Power Fund board off the ground and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Iowa Office of Energy Independence is headed by Director Roya Stanley. Fred S. Hubbell serves as chair of the Power Fund board.
POWER FUND BOARD MEMBERS:
(NAME, MEMBERSHIP, APPOINTING BODY, CITY)
Fred S. Hubbell, Public, Appointed by Governor, Des Moines
Lucy Norton, Public, Appointed by Governor, Clive
John Bilsten, Public, Appointed by Governor, Algona
Peter Hemken, Public, Appointed by Governor, Des Moines
Carrie LaSeur, Public, Appointed by Governor, Mount Vernon
Patricia Higby, Public, Appointed by Governor, Cedar Falls
Thomas Wind, Public, Appointed by Governor, Jefferson
John Norris, IA Utilities Board, Agency Director, Des Moines
Mike Tramontina, IA Dept, Econ. Development, Agency Director, Des Moines
Rich Leopold, IA Dept. Nat. Resources, Agency Director, Des Moines
Bill Northey, IA Dept. of Ag. and Land Stewardship, Secretary, Des Moines
Senator Roger Stewart, IA Sen. Maj. Caucus, Ex-officio non-voting, Preston
Senator Hubert Houser, IA Sen. Min. Caucus, Ex-officio non-voting, Carson
Representative Nathan Reichert, IA House Maj. Caucus, Ex-officio non-voting, Muscatine
Representative. Chuck Soderberg, IA House Min. Caucus, Ex-officio non-voting, LeMars
Mary Jo Dolan, IA Community Colleges, Ex-officio non-voting, Des Moines
Kent Henning, IA Private Colleges, Ex-officio non-voting, Johnston
Gregory Geoffroy, IA Board of Regents, Ex-officio non-voting, Ames
DUE DILIGENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Franklin Codel, Off. Energy Independence Appt., Due-Diligence Committee, West Des Moines
Vern Gebhart, IA Dept. Econ Dev. Appt, Due-Diligence Committee, Marion
Floyd Barwig, IA Energy Center, Due-Diligence Committee, Ames
Ted Crosbie, Bioscience Organization, Due-Diligence Committee, Earlham
William C. Hunter, IA Board of Regents, Due-Diligence Committee, Coralville
Fred S. Hubbell, Power Fund Board of Dir., Due-Diligence Committee, Des Moines
Patricia Higby, Power Fund Board of Dir., Due-Diligence Committee, Cedar Falls
THE IOWA POWER FUND (House File 918):
Establishes the Office of Energy Independence.
The Director of the Office of Energy Independence is appointed by the Governor. This person will, among other things: 1) Coordinate administration of the Fund; 2) Coordinate existing state and Federal energy policy programs; 3) Pursue new research investment funds from public and private sources; 4) Establish renewable energy performance measures; 5) Develop an Iowa Energy Independence plan.
POWER FUND DUE DILIGENCE COMMITTEE will consist of 7 members. These individuals will review recommendations that
come before the Power Fund Board:
- Office of Energy Independence appointee with business expertise;
- Regents representative;
- DED representative;
- Iowa Energy Center representative;
- DED biotechnology commercialization representative;
- 2 members of the Power Fund Board.
POWER FUND BOARD will be made up of 11 members:
- IUB Chair or designee;
- DED Director or designee;
- DNR Director or designee;
- Secretary of Agriculture or designee;
- 7 appointees by the Governor (3-year terms; must be confirmed by Senate);
- In addition, there are 7 ex-officio non-voting members representing the Iowa Legislature, Regents, Iowa Association of Community College Presidents and Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.