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Des Moines, Iowa – Democrats unveiled the Energy Independence Act today and planned to pass the bill later in the day to keep the bill alive for the 2007 legislative session.  The bill, House File 498, will be considered by the House Commerce Committee.

“This year, one of our first priorities is to ensure Iowa continues to lead the world in researching and producing renewable energy,” State Representative Tyler Olson said.  “The Energy Independence Act will help lower energy costs, create good-paying jobs and reduce our dependence of Iowa on foreign oil.”

The bill makes good on the promises made by Democrats in their Plan for Prosperity, which was their blue print for legislative action released last year.  The goal is to achieve energy independence by 2025 through a statewide energy plan.  The bill includes a new Director of Energy Independence, an advisory council of experts to help guide state efforts, and the Iowa Power Fund to expand research, development, and production of renewable energy.  

“The state of Iowa is already a national leader in renewable energy, with our focus on wind energy, ethanol and biodiesel.  We have now a tremendous opportunity to build on our past success and continue to lead the nation in development of renewable energy technology,” Olson said.

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