NOTEBOOK – One Good Read: A Green New Deal is technologically possible. Its political prospects are another question.

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Iowa is a leader in wind energy and renewable fuels. In knowing this, it is worth seeking out some information on the Green New Deal introduced recently in Congress. This New York Times piece takes a look at some of its promises, its feasibility and its political prospects. The Green New Deal pushes for huge gains in combating climate change while promising the effort will bring high-wage and technologically advanced jobs — a win-win for economic development and nature. One piece aims to make the U.S. carbon-neutral. The details reminded me of an effort reported by Business Record Managing Editor Perry Beeman in December, headlined “Forced sustainability?” Beeman wrote: “Des Moines city leaders are looking to push businesses to assess their energy and water use and to make improvements that could help save the companies money. The Des Moines City Council is expected early next year to consider an ordinance that would require commercial and multifamily residential buildings of more than 25,000 square feet to do the assessments beginning in 2020.” The city’s effort is by no means as far-reaching or sweeping as the Green New Deal, but is it a local version?