When I visited the Iowa legislature, one of the people I sought was Rep. Chuck Isenhart from Dubuque. Almost every bill regarding conservation, climate change, renewable energy, and water quality involved him in some way. We were sad to see him lose his last election. Since then, Isenhart has been staying active including writing about environmental issues on Substack.

Why would our national legislators back away from clean energy? Isenhart has some thoughts.

“Just because our gardens are growing cucumbers doesn’t mean we have to make pickles,” Isenhart wrote. “Backing away from clean energy while continuing to subsidize fossil fuels and mandate biofuels puts us in a pickle, making even the wildest dreams come true for those who advocate for an “all-of-the-above” energy future (meaning ‘don’t leave fossil fuels behind’).”

In an Aug. 18 post, Isenhart outlines the damage done to renewable energy programs by Republicans. He starts with his personal story of installing solar panels on his roof and what a good deal it was for him, the utility company, and the environment. The story arrives here:

So – good for consumers, good for business, good for workers, good for the environment. Win-win-win-win. Thus, good for government to keep promoting, no?

Ahhhhh, no. Iowa’s Congressional delegation voted unanimously to unravel most of the federal government’s support for clean energy. Your chance to use the incentive I did is fast running out.

The federal tax credit program for residential solar, wind, geothermal and battery storage now expires at the end of this year, not 2034 as originally planned.

Churches and non-profits with big energy bills can also still get in on the deal through the Elective Pay program with the up-front help of donors who like to see tangible returns on investment like this church.

In related news, Iowa’s congressional representatives Ernst, Grassley, Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Nunn, Feenstra also eliminated the energy efficient home improvement credit (December 31), the new energy efficient home credit (June 30, 2026) and the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction for property construction that begins after June 30, 2026. All of these serve to reduce energy consumption and climate impact. (The Sun Also Sets by Chuck Isenhart on Substack).

We may know how bad Republicans are with advances in renewable energy and the environment. Isenhart lays it out with specifics. Read his entire post here.