Energizing Iowa

Mark Green
Posted August 18, 2016

Given the fact Iowa leads the U.S. in corn production (18.4 percent of the national total last year), it follows that the state would also lead the country in biofuel production. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Iowa is the country’s largest ethanol producer, supplying 27.3 percent of U.S. fuel ethanol operating capacity in 2015.

Click on the thumbnail to view a two-page energy infographic for the Hawkeye State.

Iowa also is a big wind state, ranking second among the 50 states in net electricity generation from wind last year.

Yet, at the same time, EIA says fossil fuels supplied more than 70 percent of the energy Iowans used in 2014, further illustrating the all-of-the-above nature of energy at state and local levels.

Americans need all of our country’s energy sources – from oil and natural gas, which supplied more than 65 percent of our energy in 2015, to coal, nuclear and renewables. To remain the world’s leading producer of the oil and gas that leads our national energy portfolio, we need the right energy policies going forward.

Page 2 of the infographic includes a chart showing how pro-development policies will result in increased energy output, jobs, economic growth, household benefits and more. It also shows how an energy path characterized by regulatory constraints will have negative impacts for energy, jobs, the economy and U.S. households.

Energy is essential for virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It powers national, state and local economies, gets us to work and goes into products we rely on for health and comfort. Safe, responsible energy development here at home is linked to national security as well as Americans’ individual prosperity and liberty – in Iowa and all the 50 states of energy.