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DES MOINES (May 29, 2020) -- The Iowa Utilities Board issued an
order this week approving the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line.
This line will enable thousands of megawatts of clean, low-cost, renewable
energy to access the electric grid.
As a regional
organization that works to advance renewable energy in the Midwest, Clean Grid Alliance
Regional Policy Manager and Attorney Sean Brady responded, saying, “Clean
Grid Alliance applauds the Iowa Utility Board for their leadership in
approving this important infrastructure project. Cardinal-Hickory Creek is
the last of the MISO Multi-Value Projects to receive approval out of the 17
total lines. This decision is great news for Iowa and the Upper Midwest,
which has been facing significant curtailment of renewable resources in
recent years. Actual wind capacity in Iowa as of July 2019 is more than
double MISO’s 2010 estimate of 4,650 MW by 2026, proving that ‘if you build
it, they will come.’ A robust grid will provide Iowans with service
reliability, save millions in upgrades for ratepayers, and provide economic
benefits to the state. The cost of wind power has declined 70 percent in
the last decade and Cardinal Hickory Creek is vital to enable over 5,000
megawatts of renewable energy into the electric grid.”
Iowa Environmental
Council Energy Program Director Kerri Johannsen added the following statement: “The Iowa Utility Board’s approval
of the Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line is a big step in the right
direction in part for renewable energy in Iowa and the Midwest. The MISO
Multi-Value Projects were designed in part to enable expansion of wind
energy, which is now the lowest-cost electricity resource available in the
Midwest.
“In addition to
low-cost energy, expansion of wind in Iowa will grow the $69 million in
annual land lease payments to farmers and $61 million in tax revenue to
local governments that has resulted from wind development to date. The Council
and our partners looked carefully at considerations around siting given the
sensitive Mississippi River crossing. This line was located with
environmental considerations in mind and we support the chosen route as
best to deliver Iowa wind to market along with the environmental benefits
of increasing access to clean energy.”
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Clean Grid Alliance is
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., that works to
advance renewable energy in the Midwest. Its members are comprised of wind,
solar and storage developers, environmental organizations, public interest
groups, clean energy advocates, farm groups, and businesses providing goods
and services to the wind and solar industries. Learn more at cleangridalliance.org.
The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) is
an alliance of diverse organizations and individuals working together to
protect Iowa's natural environment. Founded in 1995, it is the largest and
most comprehensive environmental coalition in the state. Through education,
advocacy and coalition building, the Council raises awareness, generates
action and creates large-scale change that makes Iowa a better place to
live, work and explore. Learn more at iaenvironment.org.
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