–A recent study from a non-partisan think tank suggests Iowa stands to lose thousands of jobs and billions of dollars over the next decade if moratoriums on renewable energy projects continue to be implemented. Ben Murrey serves as the Director of Policy and Research for the Iowa office of the Common Sense Institute. During an interview with KLGA News, Murrey discussed the focus of this report that was released last week.
The study found that wind, solar, and battery projects generated more than $23 Billion in combined investment across Iowa from 2016 to 2025, and it projects another $29 Billion will be invested over the next decade. Murrey says the state stands to lose over 7,000 jobs if local government agencies continue to delay their progress.
Along with the job loss, Murrey says the state and its residents stand to lose a substantial amount of money over the same time period.
Most of the renewable projects across Iowa over the last 15 years focused on wind energy. Murrey says the study looked to see if wind projects can be used to lower property taxes.
Murrey says they also used a statistical analysis to compare property tax rates in counties that have wind farms to nearby counties that do not, looking specifically at Ringgold and Adams in Southwest Iowa as well as Lyon and O’Brien in Northwest Iowa.
The study suggests that statewide standards for renewable energy permitting could offer guardrails while also allowing local control. You can find the complete report online at www.commonsenseinstituteus.org/iowa/research/energy-and-our-environment/iowas-renewable-advantage.
