Data center

Rather than investing in new gas plants and higher coal usage to scale up generation, the signatories of the 2026 Iowa Climate Statement are advocating for more wind and solar. They say renewable energy is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting Iowans from air pollution and global price fluctuations from fossil fuels.

Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly visited rural Linn County to announce the loan, which is the final piece of financing the energy center needed. He called the recommissioning an early chapter of “an American nuclear renaissance.”

After hearing from community members who wanted a one-year pause on data centers, the Salix City Council rejected a proposed moratorium. Google is considering a project near the small town.

The Salix City Council was set to consider a one-year moratorium on data centers at its meeting on Wednesday. But death threats against city leaders caused the mayor to postpone the discussion due to safety concerns.

Iowa's record summer heat isn't just uncomfortable. Inside two of the state's oldest prisons, it's dangerous. For 15 years, the Iowa Department of Corrections has asked lawmakers to fund air conditioning at two of the state's oldest prisons in Anamosa and Mount Pleasant. This year, lawmakers said no again. On this episode, we talk with journalist Erin Jordan who first reported on this story. We also hear from Trent Keller, the chair of Iowa's Board of Corrections, and Todd Copley, president of the union representing Iowa's correctional officers. Then, we learn about a new Data Center Decision Tool developed at the University of Iowa.

Google has been eyeing a site for a potential data center that's currently in unincorporated Linn County but could be annexed into Palo city limits. This week, Palo put a data center ordinance in place, while Linn County opened up talks to circumvent its newly instated moratorium.