Description

In April 2005, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack issued Executive Order Number 41, directing state agencies to obtain at least 10% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. To satisfy this requirement, agencies originally had the option of generating their own renewable energy or participating in an Iowa utility’s green pricing program. However, in 2007 the state attorney general determined that the purchasing option would violate the Iowa Constitution. As a result, multiple state agencies are now in the process of developing on-site generation as a way to achieve the goal.

All state agencies are required to submit quarterly reports on their progress toward meeting the goals of this policy. Renewable energy sources are defined in Iowa Code § 476.42. If an agency’s utility already has a percentage of green power in the fuel mix, the agency need only generate the remaining increment of green power to meet the 10% goal. For example, if 7% of a utility’s electricity already comes from alternate energy sources, only the outstanding 3% would be required.

The order also directs state agencies to buy energy-efficient equipment and reduce energy use in buildings 15% by 2010, relative to their energy use in 2000. Furthermore, under terms of the order, by 2010 the state’s light-duty vehicle fleets (vehicles other than heavy trucks) must consist of hybrid-electric vehicles and/or vehicles that use alternative fuels, with the exception of law-enforcement vehicles. Bulk diesel fuel purchased by the state must contain 5% renewable fuel (such as biodiesel) by 2007, increasing to 20% by 2010.