Peter Orazem, university professor, collaborated on a study that looked at the significant but manageable challenges to the seven Iowa communities where coal-fueled power plants are located. The study, titled “The Economic, Fiscal, and Social Impacts of Utility-Owned Coal-Fired Power Plants in Iowa,” commissioned by the Iowa Environmental Council, analyzed the economic impact of the power plants to help local community leaders prepare for the future.

One of the most important findings of the study was the pay differential between jobs at the plants and available replacement jobs in the area. Dr. Peter Orazem, a professor of economics at Iowa State University, collaborated on the study. “Jobs in electric utilities are generally well-paying and pay better than similar jobs in the area,” explained Dr. Orazem. “When these plants close, it is likely workers will have to move to other plants to find similar pay or take a substantial pay cut to stay in their current location.” Ensuring workers can obtain jobs adequate to support themselves and their families is an important part of transition planning.

“As a statewide organization seeking to drive an equitable and beneficial transition to clean power in Iowa, we’re committed to helping business leaders, community leaders, and locally elected officials where coal-fueled power plants are located plan to effectively manage the changes required to have 100% clean power in Iowa by 2035,” added Kerri Johannsen, Energy Program Director with IEC. “We commissioned this study to ensure that all Iowans benefit from this transition.”

In August, the Iowa Environmental Council set a goal for Iowa to reach 100% clean power by 2035.