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Energy

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U.S. trails other countries in building macro grids for electricity, ISU report finds

Countries around the world are ahead of the United States in terms of planning and building “macro grids” capable of moving electricity from one grid or distant geographic region to another, according to a new …

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Pasta water spill reaches Little Four Mile Creek

A plugged wastewater line caused water used to cook pasta to spill into an Altoona company’s parking lot this week, flowing into a tributary and into Little Four Mile Creek. According to a news release …

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Climate discussions sparks debate among Des Moines council, stakeholders

A wind turbine is silhouetted against a sunset north of Des Moines. Photo by Michael Crumb

The Des Moines City Council agreed Monday to continue working toward a resolution to update its plan to reduce …

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VERBIO forms new company as it prepares for third-quarter opening of Nevada ethanol plant

VERBIO North American Corp. has formed VERBIO Farm Services LLC as it moves toward the opening of its renewable fuel production facility in Nevada. According to a news release, the recent construction of eight large …

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Grow Solar Warren County wraps up with more than 100 kW of solar power

The Grow Solar Warren County program has signed more than 117 kilowatts of solar power. According to a news release, that’s enough to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 231,000 pounds, the equivalent of driving …

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Alliant announces jump in renewable energy generation

More than 26.5% of electricity used by Alliant Energy’s Iowa customers in 2019 was generated by renewable resources, the company announced today. That is up from 9.9% in 2018, according to a news release. Company …

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Iowa water quality improves, but 45% of state’s waters impaired

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa has fewer lakes, rivers and streams on its 2020 draft list of impaired waters compared with the 2018 review cycle, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported. “For the first time, there …

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Iowa economy shows signs of slowing in November despite expansion in manufacturing

After several months of growth, Iowa’s economy showed signs of slowing in November, according to a monthly survey of supply chain managers.

According to the Mid-American Business Conditions Index published this week by Creighton University, …

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Texas company plans to use cornstalks, husks to make eco-friendly pallets in Iowa

Des Moines Register: A Texas company that uses cornstalks, husks and leaves to make ski, skate and surf boards plans to build a $15 million plant in northwest Iowa to make environmentally friendly shipping pallets. Corn …

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Catch of the day: Is Iowa poised to be leader in seafood production?

Left: Joe Sweeney, CEO of Eagle’s Catch in Ellsworth, a farm that grows tilapia for specialty markets across the country. Right: Eagle’s Catch is located in Ellsworth’s industrial park, located along Interstate Highway 35. Photos provided by …