DES MOINES, IOWA (September 26, 2019) — More than 100 community and business leaders from around the state gathered for the Bright Ideas Breakfast at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines for a morning program on clean energy opportunities for Iowa, exploring how investment and policy efforts in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable development improves the economy and the environment.
“The price of new wind and solar has turned the economics of electricity generation upside down and should push policymakers and regulators to consider that the low-carbon option is also the low-cost option,” shared IEC Energy Program Director Kerri Johannsen. “As the development costs of renewable energy such as wind, solar, and battery storage continue to decline, Iowa business leaders in companies big and small can find myriad opportunities to save money and improve their bottom line.”
Sonia Aggarwal, Vice President of Energy Policy Solutions with San Francisco-based Energy Innovation, opened the event with a presentation on the economics of energy generation in the U.S. and opportunities for a carbon free future. Her vision of the future encourages goal setting, flexibility, and 100% electrification as the solution to meeting our growing energy needs with net-zero carbon emissions and low costs.
A panel of local Iowa business leaders continued the discussion, sharing their efforts and discussing energy policy impacts on industry. The panel included James Cade, VP of Fleet Services with Ruan Transportation, Chris Deal of internationally award-winning MODUS Engineering, and Shashi Menon, CEO of EcoEngineers.
The event wrapped with an awards presentation to three Iowa companies demonstrating a clean energy transition. Agri-Industrial Plastics, a privately-owned manufacturing company based in Jefferson County, received a Business Innovation award for their investment in solar and battery storage and energy efficiency measures that reduced the company’s peak load by six percent each month, delivering significant cost savings. Ideal Energy, a Fairfield-based solar installation company, received a Business Innovation award for their approach and services for companies seeking to add solar and storage to their operations.
Jenny Steffensmeier of Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing of Pilot Grove received the Partner in Policy award for her efforts to advance policy around clean energy and efficiency at the state level, and for her experience in taking her business 100% solar, which introduced significant cost savings.
IEC Energy Program Award winners Lori Schaefer-Weaton, Jenny Steffensmeier, and Amy Van Beek (left to right)
“IEC was honored to recognize three Iowa companies leading by example — while saving money! There are many more businesses doing this great work, and many others who have yet to discover the opportunities from investment in energy-efficiency, electrification, or renewable projects. Iowa is ready for 100% clean-energy and IEC’s number-one goal is to shrink our carbon-emissions while helping Iowans flourish. The solutions are well within reach, and together, we can make this transition benefit everyone,” says Johannsen.
Funds raised by the Bright Ideas Breakfast will support IEC’s efforts to advance policy that addresses and improves renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and other clean-energy efforts in Iowa.
The Iowa Environmental Council would like to thank this year’s generous event sponsors:
ITC Midwest * CIPCO * Current RE Solar * Big Apple Orchard * Bill Menner Group * BNIM The Energy Group * The Graham Group * Integrated Power * Meredith * MoveIt Steffensmeier Welding and Manufacturing *Virtual IT * West Bank
About the Iowa Environmental Council
The Iowa Environmental Council is an alliance of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect Iowa's natural environment. Founded in 1995, it is the largest and most-comprehensive environmental coalition in the state. Through education, advocacy, and coalition-building, the Council raises awareness, generates action, and creates large-scale change that makes Iowa a better place to live, work, and explore. Learn more at iaenvironment.org
