ANKENY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today received the “Champions of Clean Energy Award” for his longstanding efforts to support clean energy production and usage in Iowa.
The award, presented by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Power Up Iowa (PUI), is reserved for individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of clean energy production in Iowa. The ACP, comprised of over 800 companies, advocates for embracing diverse clean energy technologies to advance our nation’s broader objectives. PUI works under the ACP umbrella to engage statewide stakeholders, demonstrating the importance and potential of renewable energy and urging investment.
“I have always been a strong champion of renewable energy and the ability for farmers to diversify their operations through some of Iowa’s most bountiful resources: wind and solar,” Grassley said. “I am honored to be recognized by the American Clean Power Association for my work on behalf of the people of Iowa, and I look forward to our continued work to grow renewable energy opportunities across Iowa.”
"Iowa is a clean energy success story, producing and using clean power for a greater share of the state's electricity generation mix than any other state. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Grassley and Governor Reynolds, Iowa has achieved this success with broad public support," said ACP CEO Jason Grumet. "Senator Grassley has long championed the partnership between clean energy and Iowa's rural and agricultural communities.”
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Background
Known as the “father” of American wind energy, Grassley’s work to connect Iowa’s rural and agricultural communities with clean energy opportunities spans decades. In 1993, Grassley led the way by passing the Wind Energy Incentives Act, establishing the first-ever wind energy production tax credit. His leadership served as a catalyst for farmers to harvest wind, creating new revenue streams for Iowans and diversifying Iowa’s energy sources.
Fast forward to today, almost 30 years after the passage of Grassley’s Wind Energy Incentives Act, wind energy powers approximately 62 percent of Iowa’s net electricity generation, the highest of any state. Iowa’s renewable energy industry employs approximately 10,000 Iowans and has driven roughly $25 billion in private investment.
Grassley additionally spearheaded the 2003 Energy Bill, which contained nearly $15.5 billion in tax incentives for Iowa-grown energy and helped develop the Renewable Fuel Standard in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
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