Iowa Governor Orders Greater Use of Efficiency and Renewable Energy

April 27, 2005

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack chose to celebrate Earth Day by directing Iowa state agencies to conserve energy while increasing their use of renewable energy. Governor Vilsack issued Executive Order Number 41, which directs state agencies to obtain at least 10 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources, to buy energy-efficient equipment, and to reduce their energy use in buildings by 15 percent by 2010, relative to their energy use in 2000. It also requires the state's light-duty vehicle fleets (the vehicles other than heavy trucks) to consist of either hybrid-electric vehicles or vehicles running on alternative fuels by 2010, with the exception of law-enforcement vehicles. The order requires bulk diesel fuel purchased by the state to contain 5 percent renewable fuel (such as biodiesel), by 2007, increasing to 20 percent renewable fuel by 2010. All Iowa agencies will be required to submit quarterly reports on their progress toward the goals of the new executive order. See the governor's press release and the full text of the executive order (PDF 970 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.