(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  - Governor Terry E. Branstad today signed a letter to be delivered to President Obama requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration for 19 Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from damaging winds, tornadoes, heavy rains, hail and thunderstorms from June 20-25, 2015.

The counties included in this request are: Allamakee, Appanoose, Butler, Clayton, Dallas, Davis, Des Moines, Guthrie, Howard, Jefferson, Lee, Lucas, Marion, Mitchell, Monroe, Warren, Wayne, Winneshiek and Wright.

The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program, which is used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, the storms. A joint federal, state and local preliminary damage assessment of the 19 counties found the severe weather caused an estimated $5.1 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance Program.

The governor also requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

By U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Iowans know there's no use messing with Mother Nature during a summer thunderstorm. The occasional power outage triggered by severe weather requires households to ride out the storm without electricity.  Some families may welcome a reprieve from so-called screen time.  For others, the novelty of living off the grid wears thin. Sooner rather than later, the outage may turn to outrage. Accustomed to a reliable energy infrastructure, American society arguably has grown dependent upon energy-on-demand 24/7, 365 days a year.

Most Americans live and work in climate-controlled homes and businesses. We use energy to run our transportation fleet, operate farm machinery and power our homes, factories, schools and offices. Turning on the television, surfing the Internet, doing laundry and cooking with energy-dependent household appliances has become as essential to daily life as indoor plumbing.

Considering the significant consequences to the U.S. economy, public health, public safety and national security, maintaining access to affordable, abundant sources of energy is more than a matter of convenience. That's why a comprehensive energy strategy - one that includes expanding renewables, promoting conservation and developing traditional domestic sources - is a big priority for policymakers.

As Iowa's senior U.S. senator, I have long-championed efforts to cultivate Iowa's pivotal potential to produce clean-burning, emissions-free, homegrown renewable energy.  As the father of the first-ever federal wind energy tax incentive and a fierce advocate for renewable fuels, I lead the way in Washington to help Iowa contribute to a clean energy renaissance for America.

Promoting the production and use of renewable energy factors into tax and spending decisions at the policymaking tables. Unleashing science and technology has helped to improve fuel efficiency, produce electricity from wind and create fuel from crops and biomass. Fostering sound stewardship of our natural resources protects the environment and adds value to American agriculture.

Despite centuries-long tax breaks embedded in the federal tax code for fossil fuels, the more recent tax and regulatory tools designed to promote emissions-free and clean-burning renewables must survive a periodic rinse-and-repeat cycle on Capitol Hill. Key policy prescriptions that give renewable energy a fighting chance to flourish are included in a legislative package commonly known as a "tax extenders" package.  Some 50-plus provisions must withstand regular scrutiny in Congress. If they aren't renewed, they expire. I'm all for giving the tax code a thorough scrubbing, but the limited shelf life of these tax extenders generates a great deal of uncertainty and unfairness to renewable energy producers, job creators, workers and farmers.

As a senior member of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, I pressed for renewal of several tax provisions that are key to Iowa's economy and environment, including the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Both drive growth of renewable energy, including wind, solar, biomass, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. The 179 expensing and bonus depreciation provisions also generate significant economic growth and job creation.

I'm glad to report that Sen. Hatch, chairman of the Finance Committee, has included these key provisions in the legislative vehicle known as the chairman's mark, a key step in the legislative process.  This is a critical victory to extend these expiring tax incentives through December 31, 2016.

How do these tax incentives help foster America's ascent toward clean energy and economic growth?

They bring certainty to investment that helps boost development, sustainability and expansion of homegrown renewable energy.

Take wind energy. Generating wind power creates zero emissions. In Iowa, wind energy supplied more than 28 percent of all in-state electricity production in 2014. That puts us first in the nation. Even with 98 wind projects online, Iowa still boasts untapped wind power potential that is capable of exceeding 40 times the state's current electricity needs.

Wind energy drives economic growth and higher wages.  Iowa is home not only to an inexhaustible wind supply, but it also serves as a national leader of wind-related manufacturing facilities that produce good-paying jobs in construction, operations, maintenance and support services.

Wind energy is good for Iowa. It puts people to work in good-paying jobs, creates a new revenue stream in lease payments for farmers, fosters an economic ripple effect that revitalizes rural communities, lessens dependence on foreign energy, displaces pollution and expands the tax base to support local public services.

In 2014, wind energy supported up to 7,000 jobs in Iowa, generated $17.1 million in lease payments and accrued $10 billion in capital investments. That's good for economic growth.

The facts show that bringing stability and certainty to clean energy policy is good for the economy and the environment. Championing renewable energy that's engineered by human ingenuity and produced by human hands builds upon America's centuries-long promise of prosperity. Renewable energy can help raise standards of living and leave Mother Earth better than we found it for posterity.

My message for Washington: Let's not mess around with these expiring tax breaks that do so much good for America.

ISU Extension and Outreach Offers Weeds Week Aug. 3-7

Weeds, herbicides and the effectiveness of herbicides to control weeds are topics of agronomic and economic importance to farmers and agribusinesses. It is so important that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomists are hosting Weeds Week, a weeklong series of informational meetings. As part of Weeds Week, a session will be held August 3, 2015 in Crawfordsville, Iowa.

"Farmers are challenged with producing crops and implementing effective weed management programs in a profitable manner," said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach in southeast Iowa. "Our goal is to help farmers develop effective weed management plans."

Schmitt said the meetings are intended to help farmers and ag retailers support each other in this process.  "By supporting each other, they can increase their profitability and minimize negative impacts on the environment," Schmitt said. "The sessions have been developed to provide tools that help farmers and agribusinesses work together to develop long-term weed management plans that identify sites of action, promote timely application of herbicides and avoid the expenses of dealing with herbicide resistance."

Each session will include presentations, hands-on weed management planning, small group discussion and plot tours presented by extension field agronomists. In the farmer-oriented session, farmers will learn how to select herbicides from the herbicide effectiveness table, identify which herbicides to apply and develop their own four-year weed management plan. Agribusiness representatives will receive similar information, but it will be presented with a focus on how to support farmers and their operations.

On August 3, 2015 a session will be held at the Southeast Research Farm. 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville, Iowa.  At 9:30 a.m. a Farmer Session will be held with an Agribussiness Session to follow at 1 p.m.

Registration is $25 for each session and includes refreshments, lunch and materials. To assist with facility and meal planning there is a registration deadline four days prior to the meeting. Register online with a credit card at www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds/. For more information, call 515-294-6429 or anr@isstate.edu.

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ISU Scott County Extension Master Gardener Fall 2015 Openings

Do you like to garden and share your gardening experiences with others? Are you a plant enthusiast who looks forward to spring time and the outdoors?   Then the Iowa State University (ISU) Scott County Extension Master Gardeners wants you!

Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by ISU in horticulture, who return service to the community through a variety of educational projects.  Trainees attend over 40 hours of classes and complete volunteer service.  Each master gardener has the opportunity to learn and share their unique skills and knowledge with others in a variety of way.

Each year this opportunity is extended to a limited number of residents of Scott County.  Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings this fall at the ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach office, starting September 10th.  There is a fee which covers the training and reference materials provided by ISU Scott County Extension and Outreach Office.

If you are interested in joining the Master Gardener program, additional information and an application for the 2015 fall session is available at our website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/scott/.  The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31st.  Applicants can attend a Master Gardener informational session scheduled in August.  Send completed applications to Scott County Extension and Outreach, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf.  Call 359-7577 with any questions.

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Webinar to Focus on Pollinators and Growing Herbs

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Scott County office will wrap up the sixth annual "Growing Season" webinar series in August.

The August webinar, Pollinators and Growing Herbs, with Nathan Brockman and Susan Appleget Hurst, will be offered on August 19, 2015, at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, IA from 7 to 9 pm. Participants will learn about attracting bees, birds, and butterflies to their gardens as well as growing, harvesting and preserving culinary herbs.  There is a $5.00 fee that is payable at the door, however, pre-registration for the webinar is requested.

To register please contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County office at 563-359-7577 or aheitz@iastate.edu.  All Master Gardeners who attend will earn two continuing education hours for each webinar.

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Scott County Master Gardeners to Host an English Afternoon Tea

The Scott County Master Gardeners cordially invite you to attend an English Afternoon Tea on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the Butterworth Center, 1105 8th Street, Moline, Illinois.  From 1-2 p.m. tour the gardens at the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House with a light refreshment provided.  Beginning at 2 p.m. Master Gardener Dan Mays will present "Garden Designs."  To wrap up the afternoon an English Afternoon Tea will be served at 3 p.m.  The cost of this event is $20.00 per person, it is open to the public with limited seating.  Please R.S.V.P. with your check by July 24th made payable to Scott County Extension, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.  For additional information contact the Scott County Extension office at 563-359-7577.

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EXTENSION CALENDAR

August 7, 2015    Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10 am-2pm

August 19, 2015    Pollinators and Growing Herbs, Scott County Extension Office, 7-9 pm

August 25, 2015    Extension Council Meeting, Scoot County Extension Office, 7 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

(DES MOINES) –Governor Terry E. Branstad yesterday issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Jefferson and Wayne counties in response to recent severe weather.

The governor`s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storms and flooding that significantly impacted the two counties beginning on June 20, 2015, and continuing.