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Energy

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DNR proposes lower air quality fees for businesses

It’s a rare event when a government entity asks permission to reduce fees, but that is what the Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to do. The agency will ask the governor-appointed Iowa Environmental Protection Commission on …

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Future fuzzy for Mason City pork plant

Des Moines Register: Company officials aren’t saying much, but at least one other Iowa city is hoping to lure a $240 million pork processing plant that Mason City officials surprisingly rejected Wednesday. Family-owned Prestage Farm announced plans in …

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Biotech association gives top award to high school sophomore

The Iowa Biotechnology Association has named Aaron Wills of Donnellson, a sophomore at Central Lee High School, as winner of the 2016 Iowa BioGENEius Challenge. The competition for high school students recognizes outstanding research and …

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REG revenues, gross profit rise

Ames-based Renewable Energy Group posted a gross profit of $25.1 million, or 8.2 percent of revenues, in the first quarter. In the previous year’s first quarter, REG posted a loss of $16.2 million, or 7…
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Pork plant agreement fails final Mason City council vote, 3-3

Globe Gazette: In a stunning turn of events, the City Council early Wednesday morning rejected Prestage Foods of Iowa’s proposal to build a $240 million pork processing plant in Mason City. The vote was a 3-3 …

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Orascom: ‘Defective’ work delayed Iowa fertilizer plant

Des Moines Register: The “defective work” of a Louisiana-based contractor increased the costs of and delayed a $1.9 billion fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa, according to the company constructing the plant. In response to a lawsuit …

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Des Moines-area sewage plant launches reuse program

The Des Moines-area sewage treatment plant plans to spend $19 million on a system that will pull much of the phosphorus from wastewater and turn it into fertilizer pellets to be sold to farmers, The Des …

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USDA spends $70 million on Iowa projects in early ’16

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rural development programs have spent $70 million during the first half of the 2016 budget for 24 infrastructure projects. This funding includes $13 million to support 12 projects that will …

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Branstad eyes sales tax for water quality, joins fray as politicians blame each other for inaction

Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters Monday that he might consider approving the 3/8ths of 1 percent sales tax to fund a voter-approved conservation and recreation fund if it were offset by income tax cuts.


Lawmakers…
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Iowa cities turn to franchise fees to raise money

Cities around Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, are asking residents to pay more in fees found on natural gas and electric bills as a way of raising money to offset losses from the state’s historic property …