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DUBUQUE TELEGRAPH HERALD – January 28th, 2003
Light bulbs go on during informative energy exerciseBy ERIN COYLE
Your electric bills will rise and the lights will stay on most days if Alliant Energy opts to follow the model Dubuque-area residents created Monday night.
About 30 people helped build a computer-simulated model for Iowa's energy and air-quality needs in 2017. During an information session at the University of Dubuque Hadley Auditorium, they opted to reduce reliance on an age-old staple of the electric industry - coal. But, replacing coal with other resources made it more difficult to keep lights burning on hot summer days.
"There is a cause and effect associated with just about everything with energy," said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.
Many residents cited environmental concerns as their reason for attending the town-hall meeting, sponsored by Alliant Energy and several Iowa media outlets, including the Telegraph Herald.
"There has got to be a different way of getting better energy for your money, for one thing, and for the environment," said Marilyn Barrett, of Dubuque.
Most people attending the forum suggested Iowa increase its reliance on wind, clean coal, nuclear energy, transported energy and biomass materials. The options for the last choice run the gamut from producing energy by burning crops to burning waste material. Since some of these materials are dependent on weather conditions, it is more difficult to ensure sufficient energy could be produced at all times.
The computer system, which calculated the impact of increasing the state's reliance on preferred energy sources, showed that air pollution decreased per kilowatt used. Utility bills increased.
The program estimated that the average bill in 2002 costs $65 per month. The group's suggestions pumped that cost to more than $90 per month.
"What we are saying as a community is we are willing to spend more for cleaner air," said Peggy Sue Bird, of Dubuque.
Still, people disagreed on the best ways to improve air quality and reliability.
Bird wanted to see the state use more nuclear power rather than risk air pollution contributing more to global warming.
Laura Buechele, of Dubuque, also wanted to see more emphasis placed on environmental concerns. However, she did not want nuclear energy used.
"Nuclear power in the future is going to cause us more problems," Buechele said.
Several people said the computer model relied too heavily on using conventional sources, such as coal and natural gas.
"We have to be more forward thinking," said Jim Giesen, of Dubuque.
To accurately show the impacts of different energy sources, Paul Meier, an engineer from Wisconsin, developed the computer simulation according to energy sources and prices available to Iowans.
"We want people to see the challenges and trade-offs that are associated with providing reliable electricity," Meier said.
That ultimately means making choices about what costs are acceptable for ensuring that electricity continues to power lights and electronics.
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