Iowa
Food and farms
How a reluctant Iowa farming county undid a ban on battery storage
Three brothers wanted to use some land for solar, batteries, and cattle grazing. First they had to convince local officials — and the community — to allow batteries.
-
Green steel
Mesabi Metallics to build a $15B lower-carbon steel mill in Iowa
The Minnesota mining firm will forgo traditional coal-based steelmaking at the facility — a step toward cleaning up production to compete on a global market.By Brian Martucci .
-
Nuclear
Shuttered nuclear plant in Iowa gets $1.9B federal loan to restart
NextEra Energy is one of three U.S. energy companies to win backing from the Department of Energy to revive shut-down nuclear plants to meet soaring power demand.By Maria Gallucci .
-
Wind
How Iowa has turned against wind
Facing staunch local opposition and federal roadblocks, a new wind project in Iowa is teetering on the brink, despite growing power demand.By Dan Gearino, Anika Jane Beamer .
-
Hydrogen
Can locally made green ammonia replace fertilizer from fossil fuels?
Startup Talusag says modular plants that make ammonia from green hydrogen could cut carbon and costs from fertilizer supply chains, in America’s heartland and beyond.By Jeff St. John .
-
ENN
Iowa company recycles rare earth materials from wind turbines, electronics
Iowa-based Critical Materials Recycling was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of six companies to receive a $500,000 cash prize and $100,000 in assistance from national laboratories.By Cami Koons .
-
ENN
The Midwest’s grid operator is planning a massive new transmission buildout. Will it be enough?
The “Tranche 2” portfolio focuses on adding 765 kilovolt transmission “highways” across the region, while some stakeholders question whether it’s enough.By Frank Jossi .
-
ENN
Despite national goals, agricultural greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked
While nationwide emissions from energy and other sectors have fallen in recent decades, those from agriculture — especially livestock and corn — have grown.By Erin Jordan .
-
ENN
Biogas expansion may compound worker risks
Government incentives are driving larger, more crowded concentrated animal feeding operations while protections lag for the workers inside.By Kari Lydersen .
-
ENN
Wisconsin regulators should look to Iowa for third-party solar model, advocates say
A pair of cases before Wisconsin regulators seek to clarify the state’s position on third-party-owned solar installations, in which the entity that owns the array is different from the property owner that will use the electricity.By Kari Lydersen .
-
ENN
More Midwest banks see opportunity to finance solar, energy efficiency projects
A digital subsidiary of an Iowa community bank is among the latest to start competing with national lenders to finance solar installations. Advocates hope the trend creates more options, trust and comfort for borrowers.By Frank Jossi .
Sponsored