NWest Iowa | Shane Bellefy, July 20
Growing up in northwest Iowa, I’ve seen firsthand how our strong agricultural heritage makes our state perfectly suited for clean energy. For decades, Iowa farmers have shown that clean energy and agriculture can work hand in hand. Wind turbines provide steady lease income, which can help keep family farms afloat during tough crop years.
Iowa leads the country in clean energy, with over half of our power generated from wind and solar. That’s why I’m excited about the momentum building right now in Iowa.
Clean energy is creating jobs and bringing investment into rural communities like mine. Iowa has already proven we can lead the nation in wind, and we have an opportunity to build on that success with new projects and a modernized electrical grid.
Sen. Chuck Grassley understood the value of renewable energy early on, championing policies that allowed Iowa’s wind industry to grow. We should continue building on that leadership.
To do that, we need to make it easier to bring energy projects online. Right now, lengthy processes and delays during permitting and construction phases slow down investments that could benefit Iowa workers, farmers, and consumers. Responsible permitting reform can protect local communities while helping projects move forward.
Iowa has always been a state that values hard work and energy leadership. Let’s keep Iowa moving forward.
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