Iowa experts urge need for clean, reliable energy grid

DES MOINES, Iowa -- A group of Iowa scientists and experts is calling for people to reconsider the state's plans for expanding its electric grid.

Since 2011, environmental experts across Iowa have released and signed on to a climate statement, highlighting future challenges that could arise due to climate change.

This year's statement focuses largely on energy, which is growing both in cost and demand. Data centers are playing a sizable role in increasing the energy demand in Iowa. According to a study by the U.S. Congress, it is estimated that data centers will account for 12% of energy use in the United States by as soon as 2028.

Iowa's experts point out that the state is a leader in renewable energy. Around 60% of Iowa's energy comes from wind and solar. The scientists point out that this has protected Iowa residents from paying higher rates as fossil fuel costs have increased and become more inaccessible.

“Fossil energy is subject to supply and demand," explains Drake University Professor David Courard-Hauri. "If supply tightens up and demand increases, then prices go up. And you know, we know that with gasoline and natural gas and so on. And it’s something that doesn’t happen with renewables because once you build them, the energy that comes off doesn’t depend on how much energy other places are getting. So it’s generally much more price stable.”

The group of experts is also concerned about recent roadblocks preventing the construction of more renewable energy sites.

With the need for additional energy increasing, experts feel now is the time to plan for the future -- and to continue down the path of using renewable energy.

“This is all under intense demand growth pressure," says University of Iowa Energy Professor Jacqueline Dowling. "So not only are we seeing massive demand growth from new data centers, but also from electrification of buildings, transportation, and industry. And the key point of our statement is that we’re at a fork in the road for new electricity generation. And if Iowa needs to build a lot of new electricity generation quickly, we should seize the moment and build cheap, clean, secure energy.”

The climate statement goes on to say that renewable energy is not only cheaper and more reliable given an uncertain global stage, but it has numerous health benefits for people across Iowa.

It will now be up to utility companies, elected officials, and people across Iowa to decide whether the state will continue to lead the way using renewable energy or divert to a different path, adding fossil fuel energy generation plants.

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