Neighbor News
Metro Businesses and State Legislators Participated in Solar Tour
Small businesses inform influencers about the impact of solar energy on operations
1000 Friends of Iowa led a solar tour through Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, and West Des Moines yesterday, Wed., Aug. 7, 2019. Solar tax credits, net metering, and grid use fees were topics of debate in the 2019 legislative session. This tour was organized to educate influencers and state legislators from both chambers and parties on a fact-finding tour to prepare for the 2020 legislative session. Tourists included: Sen. Claire Celsi (D-West Des Moines), Rep. John Forbes (D-Urbandale), Rep. Kenan Judge (D- Waukee), Jake Ketzner (Iowa Conservative Energy Forum), and Rob Taylor (Iowa Conservative Energy Forum).
Tour guides included: Kari Carney (Executive Director, 1000 Friends of Iowa), Steven Falck (Environmental Law and Policy Center), Julia McGuire (Program Coordinator, 1000 Friends of Iowa), and Patrick Snell (External Affairs Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy and Solarize Waukee)
The following participated in the tour according to the itinerary below.
- Medicap Pharmacy, 8170 Douglas Ave, Urbandale. John Forbes, Iowa State Legislator.
- Stanbrough Realty, 10888 Hickman Rd, Clive. Jeff Stanbrough, President, Stanbrough Realty.
- The Palms Theater and IMAX, 200 NE Westgate Dr, Waukee. Russell Vannorsdel, Vice-President, Fridley Theatres and Perry Novak Electric
- Peoples Bank, 1185 SE University Ave, Waukee. John P. Rigler II, Chairman and CEO and 1 Source Solar
- Sun Prairie Apartments, 5901 Vista Dr, West Des Moines. Keith Denner, President, Professional Property Management. Presented on energy disclosure to prospective tenants.
- Ultimate Car Wash, 104 14th St, West Des Moines. Mark Lile, Business Owner, and Trusted Energy
1000 Friends of Iowa has organized similar tours, including tours in Blackhawk County, rural Scott County, Lee and Henry Counties, and one in Downtown Des Moines. The tours have showcased both solar energy and a mix of best sustainable management practices for a variety of land uses. These past tours featured 1000 Friends of Iowa’s past Best Development Award recipients for their use of smart growth principles and responsible land use. “My hope is to send a positive message to our decision makers about sustainable commercial practices by shining a spotlight on our award recipients in our tours,” says Julia McGuire, Program Coordinator, “as well as field nominations for our awards program in future years.” The Best Development Awards Program is a juried program that selects recipients for their use of smart growth principles and responsible land use, recognizing projects in 12 different categories every year at a ceremony at the Iowa Statehouse early in the legislative session.
Founded in 1998, 1000 Friends of Iowa is the only organization in the state focused solely on promoting responsible land use in community, state, and federal development decisions. Its mission is to unite Iowans in efforts to protect farmland and natural areas; revitalize neighborhoods, towns, and cities; and improve the quality of life for future generations.