Grassley is the author of the wind energy production tax credit, and has worked to see that the credit is extended.  He has received numerous awards for his continued leadership in support of the credit.

"Iowa has been a leader in the production of wind energy and is poised for even greater results in the future.  This renewable energy source has not only helped power Iowa, but at the same time has created green jobs for Iowans.  The wind energy tax credit that I authored has been a tremendous impetus for the state to harness the power of wind for both clean energy and good paying jobs."

Study: Wind energy keeps Iowa power costs down

By MIKE GLOVER Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa

Wind energy accounts for up to 20 percent of Iowa's total electricity production, and is helping to keep the state's power costs among the lowest in the nation, a study released Wednesday showed.

Authors of the study said it debunks arguments that alternative energy and other measures to combat climate change are too expensive. The study was conducted by the Iowa Policy Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization based in Iowa City.

"Those people who tell us we can't do anything about global climate change because it will be too expensive are wrong, Iowa is proving it wrong," said David Osterberg, an Iowa Policy Project researcher and one of the authors of the study.

The study found that wind produced 3,670 megawatts of electricity in the state. If that power were used solely within the state it would produce enough electricity to power 940,000 homes _ roughly three-quarters of the state's homes.

The study noted that MidAmerican Energy is one of the most aggressive utility companies in the nation on wind energy, securing approval in December to install another 1,001 megawatts of production.

Iowa continues to rank second to Texas in wind production in the United States, the study found.

The authors pointed to research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory showing that roughly three-quarters of Iowa has high enough wind at 80 meters above the ground to produce wind energy.

"Thus, even as Iowa is leading the way in harnessing wind energy, there is significant room to increase our use of the wind's renewable power," the study said.

"America need not fear taking strong steps to address climate change, new estimates of Iowa wind production and production potential show this," said Teresa Galluzzo, another author of the study.

Coal-fired plants produce about 75 percent of the state's electricity, and there is one nuclear plant in the state.

In examining electricity costs, the study found that Iowans paid about 6 cents per kilowatt hour in 1998. That climbed to 7 cents per kilowatt hour by 2008. Over the same time period, national average electricity costs went from 7 cents per kilowatt hour to nearly 10 cents.

"Amidst Iowa's massive expansion of wind power, our average electricity prices have remained below the national average and in fact have not increased as quickly as the national average price in the last four years," the study said.

The study said MidAmerican is the national leader in wind generation by rate-regulated utilities, with 1,393 megawatts either in operation or under construction. That's in addition to the 1,001 megawatts of capacity approved in December. The study said Iowa is the seventh windiest state in the nation.

One shortfall the study found was determining how much of the electricity produced in the state is actually consumed within its borders. When power is shipped into the electrical grid it is pooled together and it's difficult to determine which portion of the power comes from which source.

BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 1st, the curbside white goods and used tires program in the Rock Island County area will resume normal ooperation.  Please call 1-877-934-5378 to schedule a time for pick-up.  The Rock Island County Waste Management Agency has selected Weikert Iron & Metal Recycling as the contractor for this program.  The program offers curbside pick-up of used white goods such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, and passenger car used tires at no cost to residents of Rock Island County.  During the last 12 months before the program was temporarily suspended, over 2850 white goods and 3590 used tires were collected and properly recycled.

Whte goods and used tires are both banned by law from disposal in landfilles in the State of Illinois; however, manufacturers and retailers in Illinois are required to offer disposal of used white goods and tires.  Weikert Iron & Metal Recycling is a licensed de-manufacturer of white goods and appliances through the Iowa DNR.  They safely remove hazardous materials such as mercury, CFCs and PCBs from appliances and dispose of them properly.

For more information, Rock Island County residents can contact RICMWA at (309) 788-8925 or visit the website at www.ricmwa.org

$1.3 Million State Grant and $11.9 Million Federal Grant will Boost Economic Development, Create Jobs

CHICAGO - February 19, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $13 million to improve broadband access in northern Illinois. The funding includes $1.3 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funds for the DeKalb Advancement of Technology Authority (DATA), which will leverage $11.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding.

"Access to affordable high-speed internet is critical in today's economy. Unfortunately, too many people in Illinois are being left out of the broadband revolution," said Governor Quinn. "This important funding will expand broadband access to communities throughout northern Illinois and help ensure no one is left out."

The DATA is a consortium of public and private entities created to support high-speed, low-cost broadband infrastructure solutions in the DeKalb region. The grant will go toward providing broadband access to schools, colleges and universities, municipalities, medical facilities and other community agencies that will serve as a link to the larger community. The DATA plan will potentially serve more than 3,600 businesses and 34,000 households with fiber or low-cost broadband services.

According to the DATA, construction of the fiber-optic cable network is expected to create more than 20 construction jobs over the next two to three years. As the network expands, it is expected to add up to 30 highly technical jobs in the DeKalb area to support it. The proposed network will cost approximately $14.8 million to build over the next two years.

The federal funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The State of Illinois has designated a total of $50 million in state funds as a match for exceptional projects that are awarded federal BTOP funding. In addition to providing the matching grants, the state provided technical grant writing assistance to Illinois-based ARRA applicants.

A long-time advocate of improving the state's broadband access, Governor Quinn has taken many steps to ensure connectivity in all areas of Illinois. Illinois recently received $1.8 million in funding for broadband data collection, mapping and planning activities. For more information on the state's broadband efforts, visit www.broadband.illinois.gov.

Governor Quinn was joined at today's announcement by Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.); State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Clare); State Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley); Ruth Ann Tobias, Chairman, DeKalb County Board; and Herb Kuryliw, Network and Technology Architect, Northern Illinois University.

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DES PLAINES, IL (February 18, 2010) - The American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) Women in Safety Engineering (WISE) common interest group will honor 100 women who have, or are currently, making a difference through their work and dedication to protecting people, property and the environment, as part of ASSE's 100th anniversary celebrations in 2011. This week WISE issued a call for nominations.

WISE honored four women in its monthly newsletter to members in October 2009 and will continue to do so until October 2011 when the group will consolidate the profiles and nominations of 100 dedicated women into a single publication, 100 Women - Making a Difference in Safety. Those nominated do not have to be ASSE members.

WISE was established by ASSE and its members to foster the advancement of women in the safety, health and environmental (SH&E) profession.  The officers of WISE are Chair Kelly Bernish; Vice Chair Jennifer Zipeto; Secretary Terrie Norris, who also serves as ASSE Senior Vice President; and, Treasurer Maureen Johnson.

The ASSE group plans to honor women who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in the lives of others through their work, dedication and innovation in SH&E work.

"Some paved the way long before ASSE was founded in 1911, like Rebecca Luken who made a difference in manufacturing safety protection devices in the 1800's," ASSE WISE Chair Bernish said. "Other possible nominees, such as ASSE Professional Development Vice President Patricia Ennis and Terry Wigfall, are ASSE members making a difference today. Our honorees will be diverse. They won't all be public figures, well known, or famous; they will be everyday heroes making a difference in the lives of others."

To nominate a woman for the WISE '100 Women Project' complete the nomination form on the ASSE WISE web site at  http://www.asse.org/practicespecialties/wise/100womenform.php.

For those who would like to participate in this project or  find out more information, please contact:  Bernish at Kelly.A.Bernish@disney.com, Jennifer Zipeto at jzipeto@gmail.com, Terrie Norris at tsnorris@earthlink.net, Deb McDaniel at mcdanied@kochind.com, and/or Maureen Johnson at maureenj@us.ibm.com.

Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety society and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.

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