Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Governor Culver Signs Energy Efficiency Legislation
ALGONA – Today, Governor Chet Culver traveled to Northern Iowa to sign Senate File 2386, which is designed to improve energy efficiency in Iowa.
“Iowa is becoming a national leader in the field of renewable energy,” said Governor Culver. “We’ve created 2000 green collar jobs of the future; we’re on our way to becoming the renewable energy capital of the United States and the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. However, I also believe some of the best opportunities related to energy lie in energy conservation and efficiency, and that’s the reason we’re here today – energy efficiency. I believe it’s time for the state of Iowa to lead by example.”
Senate File 2386 calls for the creation of a new energy efficiency commission. Over the next two years, this commission will look at energy efficiency standards in building construction and provide recommendations on efficiency standards for all new and existing buildings.
The legislation also requires electric utilities to establish energy efficiency goals, report back on progress they have made to increase energy savings, and review the most cost-effective possibilities for renewable energy generation by the year 2025.
Governor Culver signed the legislation at the Hydrogen Engine Center (HEC) in Algona. In 2004, HEC introduced the first production hydrogen-fueled, spark-ignited, internal combustion engine for industrial uses. The Center currently produces hydrogen-fueled power generation systems at its northern Iowa facility.