The clean energy sector is a growing part of the economy and has been a key driver of economic growth in Iowa in recent years with over 28,000 Iowans currently employed in the clean energy sector. As Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recognized during her September 2021 proclamation of Clean Energy Week in Iowa, "these jobs that cannot be outsourced due to the on-site nature of construction, installation, and maintenance. Clean energy jobs are inherently local and contribute to the growth of local economies.”

According to an August 2018 statewide survey conducted by the highly respected polling firm Public Opinion Strategies, Iowa Conservatives agree with Governor Reynolds in recognizing the importance of clean energy powering not only Iowa’s homes and businesses, but powering our economy.
   

• 78 percent of Iowa Conservatives believe Iowa should pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which means lowering dependence on fossil fuels and allowing an increase in electric generation from emerging technologies like renewable energy as well as more energy efficiency.

• 85 percent of Iowa Conservatives believe Iowa should continue or place more emphasis on producing energy from solar power.

• 83 percent of Iowa Conservatives believe Iowa should continue or place more emphasis on producing energy from wind.

• 93 percent of Iowa Conservatives believe farmers and other landowners have the right to lease their land to wind companies.

• 77 percent of Iowa Conservatives believe wind projects are a benefit to their counties.  

Iowa Conservatives say “creating good paying jobs” is the most important priority for Iowa’s decision-makers to consider when setting Iowa’s energy policy.