Endgame in Sight?

Okay, we have come to understand the competing messages over the session. Is anyone going to do something that matters to Iowans? Don't think some of them are listening.

Except for Fukushima, All Quiet on the Nuclear Front

When the Iowa House and Senate adjourned for the week on Thursday morning, they failed to do what many expected, which is debate the nuclear power bills, HF 561/SF 390. A pair of lobbyists caught up with a legislator in the halls of the capitol and asked (in a lobbyist tone of voice), “what up?” The legislator indicated they were working on some amendments regarding cost recovery and nuclear safety in response to public feedback.

Out in the non-lobbyist world, where most Iowans live, the author sought out a baby boomer and an octogenarian, both MidAmerican Energy customers, to see what they thought about new nuclear power in Iowa. The baby boomer, not fully understanding, said we have a nuclear plant, referring to Exelon Corporation's Quad Cities Generating Station in Cordova, Illinois. “I am proud of the fact that each year I find ways to reduce my electrical bill.” When I pointed out that she could see a $12-$21 monthly surcharge to pay for a new nuclear reactor that may never be built, she hadn't heard and was outraged. The octogenarian had recently taken out a $4,000 loan to replace the furnace in her house and was not sure how she would pay off that loan on her retirement income. I didn't have the heart to mention that MidAmerican sought to take out another substantial loan on her behalf over a 40 year term to pay for a new nuclear reactor. It is clear that folk in Des Moines are living in a bubble regarding these bills.

Representative Beth Wessel Kroeschell (D-45) wrote up a good explanation of the House version here. She wrote, “The reason for the legislation was that despite aggressive construction of wind turbines and retrofitting of plants to reduce emissions, it was determined that it is unlikely that Iowa utilities will be able to meet carbon reduction proposals being considered by the federal government without relying on nuclear energy to some extent.”

Pull out your favorite photo of US House Speaker John Boehner and ask yourself, “do you see a cap and trade bill coming in the 112th Congress?”

Attention: all you elected officials and lobbyists in the bubble: why the hurry to rush through the bill? Maybe you should ask some MidAmerican customers (hint: likely voters) what they think since they would be paying the bill for new nuclear reactors in Iowa.

Governor Branstad was Signing

Signing more than two dozen bills into law this week, Governor Branstad stayed busy with the roles of governance. On Monday Branstad released his plan for mental health reform, an issue that has bipartisan support. One of his goals is to “secure a reasonable balance between access, affordability, quality, and appropriateness.” Sounds reasonable. Waiting to see how this gets politicized, although we hope it does not as mental health reform is sorely needed in Iowa.

First Redistricting Map Sent to the Governor

Okay, people… keep moving, there's no story here. Cautionary note to Jeff Kaufmann (R-79) who voted against the bill: Blog for Iowa will be expanding our presence in your new district as Governor Branstad said he would sign the plan into law on Tuesday, April 19.