Proposed plant balances concerns over power rates, climate change

The electric cooperatives that provide electricity in each of Iowa's 99 counties appreciated the time and space The Des Moines Register's opinion pages devoted to energy and the environment the week of April 13. The diverse opinions expressed about how legislators, regulators and utility companies should address concerns about climate change and ensure reliable, safe, affordable and environmentally responsible power illustrated the complexities of this issue, which impacts every Iowan. More

Coal-plant emissions threaten public health

On Sunday, the Iowa Medical Society, which represents more than 4,600 physicians in Iowa, passed a resolution supporting "policies that encourage and require investment in energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy" and "clean and safe energy with the least detrimental impacts upon the public's health." More

Plant would be good for city, for entire state

There are numerous reasons why so many people in Marshalltown support Alliant Energy's power-plant project. Plainly and simply, it makes good sense. More

Climate change: The moral imperative

In listing the reasons why we must act to stop global warming, we should start exactly where the Bible does: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth ... and saw how good it was." More

New course needed to meet electricity needs

It's taken a long time for utilities, officeholders and the public to get serious about climate change: More

Good guys-bad guys won't yield smart energy policy

By the time a weeklong hearing began in January on Alliant Energy's proposed coal-fired plant in Marshalltown, battle lines had been drawn. More

Pro & con: Is power-plant plan cost-effective?

This series examines the proposed Marshalltown coal-fired power plant, electricity demand and climate change. More

• The case for the plant: Costs are rising; building now is best for ratepayers
• The case against the plant: Building, operating costs soaring; customers will pay

The case against the plant: Building, operating costs soaring; customers will pay

The enormous economic, as well as environmental, risks associated with building a new coal-fired generating unit cannot be underestimated. More

• Pro & con: Is power-plant plan cost-effective?

The case for the plant: Costs are rising; building now is best for ratepayers

IPL has clearly taken all possible measures to shelter its customers from increasing construction costs. However, to continue to provide its customers this shelter, IPL cannot delay construction of SGS Unit 4 to the point that construction becomes cost-prohibitive. More

• Pro & con: Is power-plant plan cost-effective?

Pro & con: How to factor in climate change?

This series examines the proposed Marshalltown coal-fired power plant, electricity demand and climate change. More

• The case for the plant: New, efficient facility could replace output of dirtier plants
• The case against the plant: To protect environment, plan is 'large step in the wrong direction'

The case against the plant: To protect environment, plan is 'large step in the wrong direction'

Human-induced climate change is a grave and increasing threat to the environment and to the human societies around the globe. The effects of this process are already observable and documented in the scientific literature, and are consistent with those predicted by computer models of the global climate. More

• Pro & con: How to factor in climate change?

The case for the plant: New, efficient facility could replace output of dirtier plants

IPL, and its parent Alliant Energy, clearly acknowledge that it is time to take action in anticipation of a potential policy change that would require carbon-dioxide controls. The disagreement among the parties is on what actions are appropriate in anticipation of the establishment of a future policy directive, the details of which are clearly unknown. More

• Pro & con: How to factor in climate change?

Pro and con: Can wind energy stave off new plant?

This series examines the proposed Marshalltown coal-fired power plant, electricity demand and climate change. More

• The case for the plant: IPL is adding wind, but that doesn't offer a steady supply
• The case against the plant: Wind can play bigger role than modeling suggested

The case against the plant: Wind can play bigger role than modeling suggested

Robert Fagan, senior associate, Synapse Energy Economics Inc: Iowa has an abundant and economical wind resource whose potential has yet to be fully tapped. More

• Pro and con: Can wind energy stave off new plant?

The case for the plant: IPL is adding wind, but that doesn't offer a steady supply

...Wind cannot reliably serve base-load capacity needs. ...The OCA [Office of Consumer Advocate] and [opposing] coalition ignore the fact that the wind does not always blow. If IPL relies on wind for any portion of its base-load capacity and the wind is not blowing, then IPL will be forced to enter into the marketplace to make up that shortfall. More

• Pro and con: Can wind energy stave off new plant?