Monthly Archives: February 2011

University of Iowa to use methane from landfill for energy

Posted on February 28, 2011 by

One city’s decaying trash can be a university’s energy – or something like that. The University of Iowa will use methane from Iowa City’s landfill to power its research campus - a project that will generate revenue for the city and … Continue reading →

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On the Radio: Some, but not enough Iowa cities invest in green transportation

Posted on February 28, 2011 by

(Slideshow created by Brynne Schweigel) Listen to this week’s radio segment on green transportation efforts in Iowa.

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Invest in solar energy to jumpstart Iowa’s economy

Posted on February 25, 2011 by

This letter, written by Sen. Joe Bolkcom – D, Iowa City, was also published in the February 24 edition of The Daily Iowan. Bolkcom, who is also the outreach and community education director for CGRER, is the sponsor of SF … Continue reading →

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Woodlot owners should beware of invasive Oriental Bittersweet

Posted on February 25, 2011 by

  Written by Mark Vitosh, District Forester with the  Iowa Department of Natural Resources By itself, the small vine seems of little threat; maybe an ornamental wreath, with yellow capsules giving way to red berries…or perhaps climbing a trellis, with … Continue reading →

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Report: To combat climate change, tackle black carbon

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

Black carbon: it’s dirty, unhealthy and addressing it, according to a new report, may be the most effective way to confront climate change. Greg Carmichael, a University of Iowa professor and co-founder of CGRER, is a lead author of that … Continue reading →

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Treynor notches water quality honor

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

If you’re ever in search of a clean glass of water in Southwest Iowa, you may want to head to the tiny city of Treynor. The Iowa Rural Water Association recently named the Pottawattamie County town “Community Water System of … Continue reading →

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Congress may make conservation tax credit permanent

Posted on February 23, 2011 by

Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa and Max Baucus, D-Mont. have introduced a bill that would make permanent a temporary tax deduction that has protected more than 1 million acres of land from development each year. The credit would have extra incentives for … Continue reading →

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Iowa legislators consider bottle bill repeal

Posted on February 22, 2011 by

Has Iowa’s 33-year old “bottle bill” run its course? That’s what a group of House legislators say. They want to repeal the law that requires vendors to place a 5-cent deposit on all cans and bottles sold in the state … Continue reading →

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As Iowa thaws, flood season begins

Posted on February 21, 2011 by

Melting snow over the weekend created ice jams along the Des Moines River near Fort Dodge, putting 21 counties under flood warnings and leading 15 families to evacuate their homes. 

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On the Radio: At Green Plains ethanol plant, Shenandoah seeks an algae-powered Iowa

Posted on February 21, 2011 by

Photo: City of Shenandoah. This week’s radio segment highlights some innovative research going on in the tiny city of Shenandoah – attempts to use algae for fuel. But the experiment is just one of many of the town’s cutting-edge green … Continue reading →

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