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Energy

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USDA: Farm productivity rose 1.42 percent per year

Farmers’ productivity increased 1.42 percent a year from 1948 to 2011, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported. Those productivity gains were achieved at least in part, however, at …
By BPC Staff | Oct 19, 2015
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Event Oct. 23: Drake, United Nations group to host climate change forum

The Iowa United Nations Association and the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship at Drake will host an Oct. 23 climate change forum at Drake University. The session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m …
By BPC Staff | Oct 16, 2015
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REG expects higher losses; Geismar plant to reopen in January

Ames-based Renewable Energy Group Inc. expects to report a higher than expected net loss of $9 million to $15 million for the third quarter. Non-GAAP earnings before taxes and depreciation and amortization are expected to …
By BPC Staff | Oct 14, 2015
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VIDEO: Ignite Des Moines – Growing Urban Agriculture

Courtney Long is a Design Fellow at Iowa State University and works at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Her topic of creating urban agriculture was particularly interesting, in that, during a time of such …
By BUSINESS RECORD STAFF | Oct 14, 2015
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WDM Fareway store uses captured heat to save energy

MidAmerican Energy Co. recently recognized the West Des Moines Fareway store for capturing waste heat from its refrigeration system, saving $126,872 in energy costs. The project is expected to save 520,013 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which …
By BPC Staff | Oct 14, 2015
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Iowa sidesteps drought, flooding

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a one-word description for Iowa’s moisture conditions for the year ending Sept. 30: normal. For a state that battled drought for years lately, and at times responded to …
By BPC Staff | Oct 12, 2015
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REG finds bargain on equipment for future projects

Ames-based advanced biofuels maker Renewable Energy Group Inc. announced Tuesday that one of its subsidiaries has received approval from a Mississippi court to purchase certain equipment at a production facility in Columbus, Miss. Under the…
By BPC Staff | Oct 7, 2015
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DuPont CEO’s departure sets off debate over possible split

A board member known for his experience in breaking up companies has taken over as DuPont Co. CEO Ellen Kullman prepares to leave the company on Oct. 16, fueling speculation of a company breakup and…
By BPC Staff | Oct 7, 2015
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State hires Inova, Battelle to lead energy plan

Inova Energy Group and Battelle Memorial Institute were selected to conduct a study that will inform the state’s new energy plan, Gov. Terry Branstad said in a statement. Twelve companies had replied to a request for qualifications. …
By BPC Staff | Oct 6, 2015
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Alliant Energy looks to expand solar

Alliant Energy Corp.’s Iowa utility plans to seek proposals for new solar projects that could increase its solar power generation by 50 percent. The request is to build solar projects with generating capacities of 1 …
By BPC Staff | Oct 6, 2015