About the Iowa BlueGreen Alliance
The BlueGreen Alliance in Iowa has a strong local membership of labor, environmental, and community organizations working towards creating good jobs, while protecting our environment.
Partners and Allies
Alliance for Retired Americans
Center for Rural Affairs
Common Good Iowa
APWU Local 44
Environmental Law and Policy Center
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Faith & Climate
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust
Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA)
Linn Clean Energy District
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Operating Engineers Local 150
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 125
Sierra Club
South Central Iowa Federation of Labor
Teamsters Local 238
The Nature Conservancy
United Auto Workers Region 4
United Steelworkers District 11
University of Iowa Labor Center
Our History and Mission
In 2021, the Iowa Federation of Labor, the Iowa Environmental Law and Policy Center, the University of Iowa Labor Center, the BlueGreen Alliance, and dozens of Iowa labor and environmental organizations launched a series of statewide meetings to find common ground on two of the most urgent issues of our time: the climate crisis and the crisis of soaring income inequality and deteriorating labor standards. In our discussions, it became clear that our movements share many of the same values and confront many of the same challenges. We agreed that now, more than ever, we must work together to advance both equitable living-wage jobs and climate action to protect our communities and future generations.
Our Work
ADVANCING CLEAN POWER
Iowa was the first state to adopt statewide renewable energy standards in 1983. Today over 60% of our state’s electricity generation comes from wind. In Iowa BGA is committed to growing this legacy by developing legislative solutions, shaping policy via regulatory agencies, ensuring workforce priorities are included in projects, and building support for regional transmission permitting through the state utility commission.
SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Schools are the life blood of our communities. Many of Iowa’s school buildings require some form of an upgrade— whether safety enhancements, structural, or technology improvements. A large share of districts are pursuing multiple competitive funding sources for these upgrade projects.
The Inflation Reduction Act included provisions to ease some of that burden and open the door to new clean energy projects that have been out of reach for many districts and municipalities. The law enabled access to clean energy tax credits by introducing “direct pay” for tax-exempt entities. These credits were previously unavailable to organizations that don’t pay taxes—like public schools, non-profit hospitals, and local governments. Now, using direct pay, certain clean energy projects can receive cash reimbursement for tax credits worth up to 50-60% of the total project cost by meeting specific criteria—like using materials made in the United States and meeting labor standards. BGA has been working with eligible entities to spread awareness of these new opportunities and help them navigate how to take advantage of them.
FIGHTING FOR WORKERS RIGHTS AND HIGH ROAD JOBS
BGA is fighting to make Iowa a welcoming place for workers. By fighting for workers’ rights, supporting Iowa union members, pushing for strong labor standards on public projects, and securing access to necessities like reliable and safe childcare for working parents, we believe that Iowa can be a place where working families thrive.
To find out more about the Iowa BlueGreen Alliance, contact Katie Rock.
Key Facts
1983 The year Iowa adopted statewide renewable energy standards.
60% The amount of the state’s electricity generation that comes from wind..