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Energy

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Water coalition expands, backs sales tax increase

A growing group of business and conservation leaders plans a bigger push for a sales-tax increase expected to raise $180 million a year for recreation and conservation projects, many of which would help water quality, The …
By BPC Staff | Sep 12, 2016
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ISU creates online watershed simulator

Iowa has water quality challenges. Doing something about them will mean using a variety of techniques of varying effectiveness to keep pollutants from farms and yards from reaching waterways.


Iowa State University has designed an…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Sep 7, 2016
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Northeast Iowa flooding causes $5 million in damage to infrastructure

Iowa Environmental Focus: Near-record flooding in northeastern Iowa caused $5 million in damage to public infrastructure, according to an estimate by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The estimate does not include damage …
By BPC Staff | Sep 7, 2016
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Toxic algae warnings set another record

Iowa’s state park beach swimming areas set a second straight record for toxic algae warnings this summer, the Iowa Environmental Council reported based on state data.


The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued 37 warnings for microcystin,…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Sep 6, 2016
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U.S. moves to block Deere purchase of Monsanto subsidiary

Deere & Co. was sued by U.S. antitrust officials seeking to block its purchase of Monsanto Co.’s Precision Planting LLC equipment business, a deal the government says would eliminate competition and raise costs for farmers, Bloomberg …
By BPC Staff | Aug 31, 2016
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Judge rejects motion to restrict Iowa pipeline protesters

Des Moines Register: A federal judge’s ruling Tuesday means protests aimed at halting the $3.8 billion Dakota Access pipeline project apparently will proceed today in rural Boone County. Ed Fallon, a leader of Bold Iowa, one …
By BPC Staff | Aug 31, 2016
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Farm, food, environmental groups launch $4 million conservation effort

Organizations representing food companies, agricultural supply firms and conservation organizations have launched the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative and plan to raise $4 million over five years for conservation efforts.


The money will help accelerate the Soil Health…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Aug 31, 2016
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NOTEBOOK: New calls to action on water quality

There was a different tone at this year’s Farm Progress Show. Oh, sure, I saw the big display of “sale” farm equipment before I even got to Boone, parked side-by-side at Iowa Highway 17 and…
By PERRY BEEMAN | Aug 30, 2016
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Partnership launches ag accelerator with help from four firms

After months of informally listing an ag accelerator as a possible priority, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and Cultivation Corridor have drawn support from four firms to make the idea happen.


The ag startup accelerator,…
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Aug 30, 2016
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MidAmerican Energy warns of scam targeting small businesses

MidAmerican Energy Co. is warning business owners and the public of a phone scam targeting utility customers in Des Moines and surrounding areas. Last week, approximately 60 customers in the Des Moines area – most …
By BPC Staff | Aug 30, 2016