Iowa Environmental Council
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Our mission: A just, healthy environment & sustainable future for all Iowans
The Iowa Environmental Council manages the content on this site for the purpose of disseminating information and encouraging engagement with the public. However, IEC reserves the right to monitor, prohibit, restrict, filter, block, suspend, terminate, delete or discontinue any contribution, content, and/or access to any content and/or IEC social media channel at any time, without notice and for an
06/19/2026
We're hiring! Join the IEC team as a Renewable Energy Siting Associate and help spearhead outreach, research, and publication efforts to advance knowledge and effectiveness of siting wind, solar, battery storage, and transmission infrastructure in Iowa. Learn more: iaenvironment.org/joinourteam
Join IEC and Dr. Glenn Hurst, a Council Bluffs family physician, in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the public from toxic coal ash. Public comments are due tonight, June 12, at 10:59 p.m. Visit iaenvironment.org/takeaction to learn more and make your voice heard!
The EPA is proposing to weaken rules for coal ash storage and groundwater testing, which will put Iowans' health at risk. Coal ash contains chemicals that are known carcinogens and toxins. As Dr. Hurst wrote in a recent op-ed, "It should not take a doctor to tell you that arsenic, boron and mercury are not safe for the health of Iowans." These toxins can lead to cancer, other disease, and neurological harm.
Tell the EPA to protect our water and health: iaenvironment.org/takeaction
06/03/2026
🎉 Happy !!
We’re excited to welcome the Iowa Environmental Council to our ASBN community!
The Iowa Environmental Council is Iowa's oldest and largest environmental coalition, focused on improving water quality, clean energy, and climate resilience through policy, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives.
The Iowa Environmental Council joined ASBN as a member in 2026.
Curious about membership? 👉 https://asbnetwork.org/member-benefits/
The EPA is proposing to roll back rules that protect our waterways and communities from toxic coal ash pollution. These changes would significantly weaken safeguards against coal ash being released into rivers, streams, and groundwater. A public comment period is open through June 12; join us in urging the EPA to protect our health and environment.
Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal at power plants, and it contains toxic substances such as arsenic, selenium, mercury, and lead. An estimated 19 million cubic yards of coal ash are currently stored at federally regulated disposal sites in Iowa. This amount could fill the MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium nearly 90 times.
Visit iaenvironment.org/takeaction for simple steps to submit your comment to the EPA.
06/01/2026
We're proud to announce that Sarah Green, IEC Executive Director, has been recognized with a HER Women of Achievement Award, a program from The Gazette that recognizes individuals who are leading, inspiring, and creating positive change.
Join us in thanking Sarah for her leadership on critical issues impacting Iowa's environment, water quality, climate, energy landscape, and health.
Read more: her.today/sarah-green/
05/29/2026
"Parks, lakes, rivers, trails, and green spaces are often described and experienced as places where communities can recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally," writes Monica Goodlett, founder of Black Iowa Outdoors. "But access to these spaces, a sense of belonging, and environmental justice has never been equal — especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities."
Read Monica's guest blog at iaenvironment.org/blog.
Black Iowa Outdoors works to inspire, empower, and support Black Iowans and allies to improve their health and well-being while fostering a love for the outdoors and community. Check out monthly hikes, volunteer opportunities, and other adventures at blackiowaoutdoors.com.
05/21/2026
Thank you to the more than 200 advocates who attended IEC's annual PRO H2O event to support the continued fight for clean water in Iowa.
The evening featured updates on IEC's water quality work, as well as a conversation with Mariah Blake, the award-winning author of “They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals.”
The event demonstrated the energy and strength of the movement to demand clean water for all Iowans. Thank you to everyone – both longtime supporters and new friends – who attended PRO H2O and to the sponsors who made it possible.
We're stronger together.
The Big Apple Orchard
Des Moines Water Works
Greater Iowa Credit Union
HealthSource Chiropractic of West Des Moines
ITC Holdings Corp.
Krause Group
Practical Farmer
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Voya
Amanda Drish-Adolf & Nick Adolf
Charlotte & Fred Hubbell
Katherine & Josh Mandelbaum
Cyril & John Mandelbaum
Lorraine & Tom May
Betty & Craig Miller
Kay & Bob Riley - Riley Resource Group
Deb Wiley & John Schmidt
Photo credit and big thanks to our friend Joe Crimmings.
05/09/2026
IEC has joined 82 organizations nationwide to call on the EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services to take emergency action on nitrate pollution. Our new "Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis" report shows that nitrate below the EPA's current standard of 10 mg/L is associated with several types of cancer. Here in Iowa, we are especially at risk, with some of the most nitrate-contaminated waterways in the nation.
Iowa ranks second in the nation for cancer incidence and is one of just three states where rates are rising. Iowa’s primary nitrate polluter is industrial agriculture, with more Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and more row crops per acre than any other state in the country. Among other demands, our letter calls on EPA to act on a Safe Drinking Water Act emergency petition filed to protect Iowans’ drinking water in 2024.
"We cannot wait any longer to address this urgent public health crisis," says Colleen Fowle, Water Program Director for IEC.
Read the full news release: iaenvironment.org/newsroom
Stay informed. Sign up to receive our updates: iaenvironment.org/email
05/07/2026
Get your tickets before they're gone. If you care about clean water in Iowa, you won't want to miss this event.
PRO H2O: Flowing Forward
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., May 14, 2026
Where: Bash, Des Moines
Tickets required: iaenvironment.org/pro26
Special thanks to the sponsors who make this event possible:
The Big Apple Orchard
Des Moines Water Works
Greater Iowa Credit Union
HealthSource Chiropractic of West Des Moines
ITC Holdings Corp.
Krause Group
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Voya
Amanda Drish-Adolf & Nick Adolf
Charlotte & Fred Hubbell
Katherine & Josh Mandelbaum
Cyril & John Mandelbaum
Lorraine & Tom May
Betty & Craig Miller
Kay & Bob Riley - Riley Resource Group
Deb Wiley & John Schmidt
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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505 Fifth Avenue, Suite 850
Des Moines, IA
50309