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Congressman Dave Loebsack today reintroduced legislation to establish a grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to invest in renewable and alternative fuel infrastructure. The Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion and Leadership (Re-FUEL) Act will create new and retrofit existing infrastructure, including pumps for biofuels and hydrogen, tanks, piping and electric vehicle chargers. The legislation is paid for and would not add to the deficit

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that Iowa now generates over 31.3% of its energy from wind. According to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Iowa is now the first and only state in the United States that has crossed the 30% mark

At the Administration’s Monday morning press conference today, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that six communities are receiving grants for the State Innovation Model (SIM) Initiative. These six communities spanning 20 counties will engage in broad-based health care system and payment reforms over the next three years that will lead to better health outcomes and lower costs.

Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a report stating that the wind production tax credit (PTC) and the solar investment tax credit (ITC) will drive a net increase of 48-53 gigawatts of energy from renewable sources by 2020 and also lower CO2 emissions

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and key federal and state partners announced that the State of Iowa was awarded nearly $97 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the National Disaster Resilience Competition that will help accelerate flood reduction and water quality efforts in key watersheds over the next five years.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey will join US Housing and Urban Development officials, Mayor Roy Buol of Dubuque and City of Dubuque officials, additional state officials and key stakeholders to provide significant flood reduction and water quality grant details. The leaders will discuss efforts to help accelerate flood reduction and water quality efforts in key watersheds around the state.

The Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition announced today that it has added solar energy issues to the Coalition’s portfolio, following a unanimous vote from member governors. The Coalition also announced its new name: Governors’ Wind and Solar Energy Coalition

The city of Johnston, Iowa, has been selected as one of 10 communities across the country to receive financial and technical guidance for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure planning from EPA’s new Water Community Assistance for Resiliency and Excellence (WaterCARE) program.

The entire Iowa congressional delegation, led by Iowa Congressman David Young, today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to propose 2017 ethanol and 2018 biodiesel Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) consistent with enacted law

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds at their Monday morning press conference today announced that eligible Iowans can now buy a home and reduce their federal income tax liability by up to $2,000 a year for the life of their mortgage through the Take Credit mortgage credit certificate program administered by the Iowa Finance Authority. Approximately 780 home buyers are expected to benefit from the program in 2016, which is now available for new purchases through a network of lenders throughout the state.

The U.S. House members of the Iowa delegation, led by Congressman David Young, sent a letter to Speaker Ryan urging him to uphold Congress' promise to the renewable fuels industry by opposing any efforts to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on must-pass appropriations bills

Representatives Rod Blum and Dave Loebsack authored a bipartisan letter to the House Appropriations Committee encouraging the Committee to include language in the upcoming Omnibus bill for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite funding for projects authorized through the Water Resources Reform & Development Act. This would permit important projects awaiting federal funding -- like the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation efforts -- to begin receiving their authorized amount of federal funds

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) today confirmed that the City of Carencro, La. will be receiving $2,001,735 in grants and $22,920,000 in loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development (RD) to build a wastewater treatment facility.

Homes sales and sale prices continue their steady upward trend in Iowa in September. This is the strongest third quarter Iowa has seen in 8 years. Homes are still selling quickly in Iowa with days on market at 68 last month. In September of 2014, the properties were on the market for an average 84 days.

Conditions remain favorable during September across the state with streamflow remaining above normal and no areas of drought. September was unusually warm with temperatures averaging more than 5 degrees above normal.