The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is committed to environmental protection The Chapter applies pressure on political leaders and government decision makers in order to achieve positive changes to protect the environment. Active participation in a democracy ensures our elected officials and decision makers fairly represent the voters and the public interests, not the polluters’ interests.
Members and supporters are involved with influencing decision makers in city, county, state and federal governments. Our work involves the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government. We regularly bring issues to the commissions, boards and stakeholder groups of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Department of Transportation, the Iowa Utilities Commission (formerly the Iowa Utilities Board), and the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The Chapter also takes legal action in the state and federal courts to support our environmental initiatives.
The Chapter has compiled educational information and fact sheets about policies and recommendations for improving government so that it works for all of us.
Successful protection of natural areas from highways construction
Tax increment financing (TIF) encourages sprawl by spreading urban areas into the countryside, which destroys farmland, wildlife habitat, and natural areas. Because of sprawl, transportation needs increase, which increases greenhouse gas emissions from cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. Aside from electricity generation, agriculture and transportation are other big emitters of greenhouse gases.
How tax increment financing works
Primer on tax increment financing (TIF)
Tax Increment Financing Reform
Understanding planning and zoning
Protecting voter access to the polls – The Iowa Chapter advocates for policies that allow all citizens to have access to the polls, restore felon voting rights, create early voting opportunities, and provide easy means of registering to vote. See Voting is a Right for All US Citizens
Voter-owned clean election funding
Enabling Shareholders to Object to Corporate Campaign Contributions
Ensuring that government committees, subcommittees, and advisory committees are open to the public - Stronger Open Meetings Law
Open records to allow greater public access
Viewing and obtaining public records
Putting the public in public hearings
Regulators provide oversight to ensure that laws and rules are followed. In other words, regulations are yellow lines, stop signs, and speed signs that define the rules and protect the public. Even public agencies can break the law, such as happened with the drinking water issues in Flint, Michigan.
Rational and fair regulation is good for all Iowans
Environmental Protection Commission
Rule-making: implementing legislation
Attorney general opinion on Governor's preclearance for rule-making
Why the market doesn't take care of pollution
A Bold Vision for Iowa’s Economy of the Future
Green Jobs: Economic Development, Environmental Protection, and Workers’ Rights
Constitutional Amendment on Protection of the Environment
Repeal the Environmental Audit Law-–The Polluter Immunity Law
Prohibiting Members of Boards of Supervisors from Serving as Members of County Conservation Boards
State Environmental Quality Act
Iowa Utilities Commission (formerly Iowa Utilities Board) reform
Protecting K-12 Science Education
State Constitutional amendment removing corporate personhood
Where is your county treasurer depositing taxpayer money?
Tips for getting involved in local government issues
