Ag energy: An economic powerhouse for Iowa, U.S.

The first-ever Iowa Ag Summit has not gone unnoticed by policymakers with national aspirations. They are right to be interested. But our farmers deserve their attention for more than political reasons.

It is my hope that over the course of the Ag Summit, the featured presenters and attendees will directly acknowledge the critical role renewables like biofuels, wind and solar play in building a strong, vibrant rural economy in Iowa.

Iowa ranks in the top three in the United States in the production of renewable energy. Iowa’s success story serves as an example for what the rest of the nation can achieve. After all, as goes Iowa, so goes the nation.

Iowa accounts for 30 percent of total U.S. biofuels production; our crops literally help fuel the nation. Ethanol has long played an important role here at home, where biofuels industries have added $13.1 billion to Iowa’s economy, generated $4.1 billion dollars in new household income, and created and supported 62,000 jobs statewide. Iowa’s 10 biodiesel plants have produced more than 225 million gallons in each of the last two years, supporting more than 4,300 full-time equivalent jobs and contributing more than $471 million to the state’s GDP.

Iowa is a top state in wind production, which accounts for 27 percent of the state’s total energy generation, providing power to nearly 1.5 million homes.

Investments in solar projects are on the rise and provide great economic growth opportunities. The recently constructed Farmers Electric Cooperative solar farm in Johnson County stands to generate more than 1 million kilowatt hours each year, roughly enough to power 120 homes out of the 650-home service area.

We are tapping into the resources we have on hand to light our homes and power our economy. Increased production of clean energy benefits Iowans, catapulting us to leadership status when it comes to low-cost electricity and the reduction of carbon emissions. Energy policies that incentivize all renewable energy sources and implement flexible, market-based mechanisms will allow farmers nationwide to be part of the solution in a manner that is good for our bottom line as well as the natural resources we depend upon. A multi-billion-dollar global market is at stake.

Iowa farmers have shown that we can achieve clean energy goals while also providing the safest, most affordable and abundant food supply in the world.

I urge the participants of the Iowa Ag Summit to recognize the importance of renewable energy to a strong and vibrant farming future — both at the summit and on the campaign trail. Finding solutions that support clean energy development should be a priority for policymakers and presidential hopefuls on both sides of the aisle. We grow fuels from seed. We know how to capture the wind. We have demonstrated we can harness energy from the sun. This ability to provide homegrown energy reduces our dependency on foreign sources, provides secure jobs, improves the environment and enhances our national security.

RON HECK of Perry is an soybean and corn producer, a former president of the American Soybean Association and a founder of the 25x’25 Alliance, for which he serves as a senior advisor. The 25x’25 goal is that by 2025, farms, ranches and forests will meet 25 percent of the nation’s energy needs with renewable energy sources while continuing to provide a safe, abundant and affordable supply of food, feed, and fiber. Contact: info@25x25.org