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Energy

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Judge rules landowners should be paid for flood damage along Missouri River

Omaha World-Herald: A federal judge has ruled that the government must pay landowners along the lower Missouri River for flooding their property to protect endangered species. The final bill could reach into the hundreds of millions, …

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Iowa farmland values up nearly 2%

Des Moines Register: Iowa farmland values climbed nearly 2% this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted demand for the state’s farm goods and a hurricane-force derecho that damaged millions of acres of corn and soybeans. …

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Initial approval granted for water trails project that will pass through downtown D.M.

Des Moines Register: The Central Iowa Water Trails project, which would transform 150 miles of waterways into a recreational amenity, is finally afloat. The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday approved a conditional use …

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Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium seeks input on project through Dec. 23

The Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium is asking for help to guide the vision of the transformational community project looking to connect Iowa with its river roots. Leadership has opened a survey for community feedback on …

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Forbes names REG’s Warner to Businessperson of the Year list

The CEO of Ames-based Renewable Energy Group has been named to Forbes’ Businessperson of the Year list. Cynthia Warner joined REG in 2019. According to the Forbes announcement, under Warner’s guidance, REG is poised for a …

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Biden taps ex-Gov. Vilsack as ag secretary, a job he held for eight years under Obama

Des Moines Register: President-elect Joe Biden tapped former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack today for a second stint as secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asking him to lead the $150 billion agency that’s key …

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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 …