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Energy

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EPA lake study finds runoff pollution, toxic algae

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its National Lakes Assessment based on 2012 data, which shows that many lakes haven’t changed that much in the past five years.


But the EPA notes that toxic algae problems…
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Vilsack announces new programs for water quality

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is adding a new water quality program and adding 1.1 million acres to the popular Conservation Reserve Program, Agri-Pulse Communications Inc. reported. Appearing at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation annual …

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Beef checkoff referendum passes

Reinstatement of the checkoff for cattle producers passed in a referendum, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported. The 50 cents per animal fee for industry promotion and research received 56 percent approval. A …

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Clive plans prairie burn

Clive’s parks department plans to burn a prairie just west of 100th Street and Swanson Boulevard near Greenbelt Park for about four hours beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The burn will help control weeds …

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Jan. 13: Agricultural Urbanism Annual Celebration

Host: Iowa State Extension and Outreach Agriculture and Natural Resources- Local Foods Team and Community Economic Development About: This event will engage local food leaders and partners in a dynamic setting around food systems as promoters of…
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Drake’s Rosburg wins Hagie award

The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has awarded one of its highest honors, the Lawrence and Eula Hagie Heritage Award, to conservationist Thomas Rosburg of Drake University. Rosburg has donated 1,350 hours to a prairie restoration …

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GAO: Renewable Fuel Standard unlikely to meet goals for cutting greenhouse gases

The U.S. General Accountability Office has issued a report that contends the Renewable Fuel Standard won’t lead to the projected cuts in greenhouse gases. The GAO also said it sees “limited potential” for expansion in …

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Sparking savings

Terry Kouba, a top power generation official at Alliant Energy, stopped by for a chat, and two things quickly became clear:

Alliant Energy is moving to own more of its generation rather than buy so much from…
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Iowa Fertilizer named business of year

The Iowa Area Development Group has named Iowa Fertilizer Co. of Wever its “Outstanding Business of the Year.” Other award recipients included Bratney Cos. of Marshalltown, Christensen Farms & Feedlots Inc. of Garner, Concrete Machinery …

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Iowa Flood Center completes risk maps

The Iowa Flood Center has completed four years of mapping flood risks in 85 Iowa counties that were declared disaster areas during the 2008 flood, Iowa Environmental Focus reported. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers plans …