For decades Iowa has been a clean energy leader. Countless Iowans have innovated, invested, advocated, and built our way to the front of the pack in the race for a hopeful, abundant, environmentally sustainable energy future. While so much has been invested in this race, the single most important variable in our leadership has been smart, bi-partisan public policy. Iowa’s clean energy legacy continues this year with House File 221. Unfortunately it has been stuck in the House Ways & Means committee after passing through sub-committee.
We invite you to share this hopeful message with your members of the Iowa House and Senate. For those who have previously taken action with us on HF 221, we have updated the message and invite you to take action again.
Justin Jordan who farms with his wife Beth and participates in Faith Farms and Climate is working on a plan to add solar energy to their farm in rural Lacona.
“I believe that here in Iowa we can produce more than just corn and beans. We can be capturing the sun and creating energy. Without the tax credits this would be an infeasible project. It’s very important that we keep these incentives in place and keep paying Iowa workers to install solar panels.”
HF 221 maintains and improves the state tax credit for Iowans investing in solar energy on their farms, in their homes, and at their businesses. Even houses of worship and schools can benefit by using renewable power purchase agreements!
This bill does three important things to secure Iowa’s continued leadership in advancing clean energy solutions:
- Secures a meaningful future for Iowa’s 15% solar tax credit even if the federal credit, scheduled to phase out in 2022, is not renewed. The bill will extend supporting solar energy with the state tax credit until 2031.
- Creates a one-time economic stimulus payment to clear the waitlist of solar projects eligible for the tax credit. Every year the wait list gets longer and in 2020 over 99% of the tax credit was committed before the year even started.
- Doubles the state tax credit to $10 million a year to support Iowans who want to install solar on their homes, farms, and businesses.
To increase renewable solar energy in Iowa, HF 221 would pay down the current waitlist, raise the annual cap for the program, and de-couple the state credit from the ever-changing federal solar credit.
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light supporters have been important in the bi-partisan efforts to help our state be a leader in bold and just climate action. Please help advance this important state policy by contacting your representatives.
Our faith calls us to climate action. Together we are creating a hopeful future for our state, our country, and our world. Take five minutes today to contact your legislators and let them know you support HF 221!