We passed the first funnel last week at the Statehouse.
As the official registered lobbyist for Iowa Faith & Climate Network, I carry your voices into the Capitol and work to ensure our faith rooted values are represented in legislative conversations.
Thank you for the ways you continue to show up, speak out, and take action for our shared planet and communities.
First Funnel Win
I want to begin with an update on community solar. HSB 629, the House version of the Local Generation Act, passed the full Commerce Committee and cleared the first funnel. Thank you to everyone who responded to our action alert in support of this bill. Your voices helped move it forward. An amendment was added that impacts the bill, but not in ways that change how it helps congregations access clean energy. The House bill is now advancing as HF 2672, continuing our work for community solar. Unfortunately, the Senate companion bill SSB 3092 was pulled from the Senate Commerce Committee agenda and did not receive a vote.
We currently have a new action alert available for HF 2672 along with a handy fact sheet you can use when speaking with your legislators. We will continue our push on community solar over the next few weeks and hope you will join us in this effort.
We also extend deep gratitude to the Iowa Conference of The United Methodist Church, the Iowa Catholic Conference, the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, and the Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque for officially registering their support for community solar. Their leadership demonstrates the strong and growing interfaith commitment to expanding access to clean energy across Iowa.
A First Funnel Setback for Clean Water
Thank you as well to everyone who responded to our action alert to support HF 2237 to protect Iowa’s waters by prohibiting coal plant operators and coal ash landfills from discharging toxic pollutants into our waterways. Unfortunately, this important bill was not voted on in subcommittee after being referred to the Natural Resources Committee. While that is disappointing, your advocacy helped lift up the moral urgency of protecting clean water across our state.
Bills We Are Watching
Iowa Faith & Climate Network also weighed in on several other bills this session.
We registered in support of HF 2283, relating to grid enhancing technologies and reconductoring, including study and reporting on retirements. This bill passed full Commerce Committee unanimously and cleared the first funnel.
We also registered in support of HF 2365, relating to the regulation of public utilities, including rate filings, rate adjustment mechanisms, virtual power plants, and integrated resource planning. This bill passed full Commerce Committee unanimously and cleared the first funnel. We have previously written about why integrated resource planning matters.
Additionally, we supported HF 2001, relating to the water efficiency of data centers, including requirements for water efficient cooling technologies and encouragement of nonportable and recycled water sources. This bill was introduced to Commerce but was not assigned a subcommittee, so it did not pass the first funnel.
We are also watching HSB 692, now HF 2580, relating to the siting and operation of renewable electric power generating facilities. We are currently undecided and continuing to evaluate the bill. We have previously written about why responsible siting matters.There are many more climate bills each session than we can track or advocate for. As a small organization, we carefully choose a select few to register and actively support each year, working closely with our coalition partners and statewide tables to ensure our efforts are strategic, impactful, and faithful to our mission.
Even when bills stall, your voices matter. Legislators notice when people of diverse faith and spirituality speak up for clean energy and clean water. Together, we are building relationships, shaping the narrative, and laying the groundwork for future wins.
Thank you for your faithful advocacy and for being part of Iowa Faith & Climate Network. We will continue to keep you informed about opportunities to engage as the session moves forward.