Sierra Club Iowa Beyond Coal

12/19/2025

Tune in to hear about the latest threat to Iowa - data centers.

12/04/2025

11/17/2025

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2025/11/16/coal-ash-chemicals-threat-iowa/87234732007/

"But each day without a solution increases the pollution suffered by local residents. MidAmerican and Alliant: Do the right thing! And Iowa DNR, please also do the right thing; Protect our community and enforce the law!" - Connie Hammersley-Wilson Guest columnist

Companies and regulators are not doing enough to protect water quality in and around Ottumwa, writes Connie Hammersley-Wilson.

11/12/2025

"Obviously, coal ash is full of toxins: mercury, arsenic, lead. Things that we all know, right off the top of our head, are not good for us in our bodies," Hurst said.

As a primary care physician Hurst is concerned about more than wildlife; he thinks about his patients' health.

A Council Bluffs doctor and bird watcher raises concerns about coal ash disposal near Iowa power plants and potential water quality impacts.

11/04/2025

Great Plains Action Society has been part of the Clean Up MidAm coalition for over three years. We are made up of the Iowa Environmental Council, the Sierra Club Coal campaign and ourselves. There are some serious coal problems here in Iowa. The use of coal is having serious effects upon our environment, and it has to stop! ⁣
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Please enjoy the next in our Halloween monster series! ⁣
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More about our work to fight can be found at www.cleanupmidam.com.⁣
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MidAmerican Energy is running one of the largest coal fleets in the country. As these outdated, expensive plants burn coal across the state, Iowans are stuck with higher electric bills and dangerous pollution in our air and water. MidAmerican knows this, but have yet to announce any plans to close these plants and fully transition to clean energy.⁣
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The Clean Up MidAm campaign was started on March 30, 2022 by a coalition of organizations and concerned Iowans. Since then, our campaign has hosted listening sessions, rallies, petition drives, and visibility events across the state.

10/31/2025

Join us in Iowa City next week!

10/23/2025

https://www.thegazette.com/energy/study-iowas-clean-energy-sector-grew-in-2024-with-more-than-900-new-jobs/

The number of clean energy jobs in Iowa reached a record high in 2024, with more than 33,000 Iowans holding jobs in the clean energy space, surpassing the state's previous record of 31,910 jobs in 2019.

10/21/2025

Take some time to take action for clean energy tonight!

Join Sierra Club's Oct Virtual Action Hour focused on working together to turn the tide against fossil fuels and shift to a clean energy economy. We'll learn how we can fight for a clean energy future and take action to protect our home!

10/17/2025

Take action to protect our water!
https://act.sierraclub.org/actions/Iowa?actionId=AR0589333&fbclid=IwY2xjawNfhehleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHh9cio_VQVBtvPbbQ_6Rc-QaQXiSPU8qt2E9qZemLKtcUXPNNxy6hkNRRdos_aem_XSVREreUkf3MvQ4ugH3vpA

Every three years, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reviews their water quality standards and lays out what they are going to work on over the next three years. Then they allow us to comment.

09/04/2025

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2025-09-04/coal-plant-ottumwa-iowa-dnr

“In other words, this permit cannot delay action, and communities and surrounding ecosystems deserve protection now,” Rashidi said. “This matters because Ottumwa has a history of pollution.”

Dee Dorsett, a nurse practitioner in Ottumwa, said she tests patients for toxins and heavy metals.

“They're very high,” Dorsett said. “Some people are in the severe range. So, all I can do is report that to you and ask that you would look further … are we really looking at the people, the impact?”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources hosted a public meeting and hearing Wednesday on a wastewater permit amendment requested by Interstate Power and Light. Several environmental groups argue the draft permit allows Alliant Energy, the parent company, to bypass a federal law passed in 2024.

08/07/2025

So excited to bring our documentary back to Sioux City!!

UPDATE: Iowa's Dirty Secret is an Official Selection at the Sioux City International Film Festival! We can't wait to share the documentary at the ACX Promenade Cinema in Sioux City. Learn more and join us in October: siouxcityfilmfest.org

07/24/2025

Didn't catch the segment live? Listen here and remember to support public radio!!

Iowa’s Dirty Secret: The True Cost of Burning Coal explores the impact of MidAmerican Energy coal plants. Then, we talk with the director of the Quad-City Times Bix7 race.