Renewable Energy Markets

MidAmerican customers may help finance nuclear study (03/16/10)
The 7,184 MidAmerican Electric Company customers in Plymouth County may see a monthly increase in their payment due to a proposed law. The increase would come if Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signs a bill to allow MidAmerican to boost electric consumer payments throughout the state by $15 million to study the possibility of bringing a second nuclear plant to Iowa...

Merrill industry is model for Iowa's future, Judge says (03/09/10)
If Iowa is going to recover from the recession that has plagued the nation, recovery is going to come from the ground up. That's what Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said Monday during a visit to the Plymouth Oil, a food-grade corn oil plant just north of Merrill...

I-JOBS pays for roads, bridges in Plymouth County (03/09/10)
I-JOBS, a state program using gambling dollars to pay for roads, bridges and other improvements, is funneling about $1.2 million into Plymouth County. Lt. Gov. Patty Judge shared that figure during her Monday stop at Plymouth Oil near Merrill. The dollars will help pay for proposed projects like Blue Diamond Drive in Le Mars, two bridge replacements and the Environmental Conservation Opportunities (ECO) Center at Hillview Recreation Park near Hinton, Judge said...

City, county to seek energy efficiency grants (03/03/10)
Energy efficiency was on the front burner Tuesday for members of the Le Mars City Council and the Plymouth County Supervisors. Members of both entities applying for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) for projects that will save energy and enhance economic development by creating local jobs...

"Cash for Appliance" rebate money runs out in 24 hours (03/02/10)
Nearly $2.7 million came and went in Iowa Monday for the "Cash for Appliances" rebate program. The day kicked off with the State of Iowa's program offering $100 to $500 in rebates to encourage Iowans to trade in old appliances and upgrade to new energy efficiency Energy Star rated ones...

From field to table: Plymouth Oil begins production (02/22/10)
The food-grade corn oil plant just north of Merrill is making liquid gold. After weather and financial delays, the $30 million Plymouth Oil plant is completely constructed and pumping out gallons of crude corn oil, according to Dave Hoffman, chairman of the Plymouth Oil Company board...

Branstad says it's time to clean house, Iowa (02/19/10)
Former Gov. Terry Branstad is OK with ice cream for breakfast, but he's not OK with Iowa's government the way it is now. That's what he told the crowd at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars Thursday morning on a campaign stop for the 2010 governor's race...

MidAmerican Energy calls for safety, continues storm restoration (01/26/10)
MidAmerican Energy reminds customers to take additional safety precautions as work continues to restore service to thousands of customers impacted by this week's ice storm. Today (Tuesday) MidAmerican Energy reported only one outage in Plymouth County...

Rewind 2009: The good, the bad and the blizzard (12/30/09)
Editor's note: This is the first of two stories recapping 2009's top stories in the Daily Sentinel. Mother Nature put a wet (or white) blanket on Plymouth County's Christmastime plans, nailing northwest Iowa with more than a foot of snow and winds that lowered visibility and drifted roads shut. ...

Counterfeit $100 bills reported locally (11/11/09)
Three reports of people trying to pay at Le Mars businesses with fake $100 bills popped up in the last month. According to the Le Mars Police, one man attempted to pass a $100 bill at one Le Mars business, but the clerk wouldn't accept it. Within 24 hours, the same man used the false bill at another local business, which accepted it, according to the police...

Local electric providers: We're for cap, but not trade (10/23/09)
Under proposed energy legislation often called "cap and trade," the Midwest would get burned, according to representatives from local electricity providers. MidAmerican Energy representative Mark Reinders explained his company's take on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a comprehensive energy bill proposed by U.S. Representatives...

Ethanol outlook: Where is the industry headed? (10/21/09)
Editor's note: This story is part two of a pair of stories looking deeper at the ethanol industry and Plymouth Energy's recent quest to raise $10 million for the ethanol plant. In the past decade, ethanol has been both a golden egg and a rotten one...

Plymouth Energy seeks $10 million to position for future (10/20/09)

Boosting employee morale when dollars aren't there (09/25/09)
In the past year, more than 70 percent of employers laid off employees or restructured their organization. About 60 percent of employees say they're not getting bonuses this year. And about 50 percent of workers saw negative effects from pay and benefit changes...

Wind turbine company eyes Plymouth County (09/22/09)
A wind farm company may be considering Plymouth County for a new location to build wind turbines. Zoning Administrator Alan Lucken told the Plymouth County Board of Adjustment Monday that he'd recently received a call from an individual from a company that uses massive wind turbines to generate electricity...

Journey to Japan gives Remsen natives chance to teach (07/31/09)
At age 15, Jenny made a journey to Japan to study as a foreign exchange student. On August 10, Jenny, a Remsen native, will be making a second trip to Japan, and this time with her husband Lars Robins to teach English. During Jenny's first visit to Japan, she lived in a rural area on a small island, this time she and Lars will be in Tokyo...

Farmers' market to open soon (06/15/09)
Ready for fresh fruits and veggies, jellies, salsas and baked goods? The Le Mars Farmers' Market will begin Wednesday, June 24. Market times are 3-6 p.m. every Wednesday and 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday. The market is held at the Olson Cultural Event Center at the intersection of First Avenue and First Street northeast...

Plymouth Energy hearing for grain dealer license postponed (06/11/09)
The Merrill ethanol plant has another 2 1/2 months to make their financial system comply with state standards. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) temporarily revoked Plymouth Energy's license to purchase grain as a dealer in early May because of "deficiencies" in the company's financial system and accounting with grain transactions, according to Rich Wahl, of the IDALS...

Opinions divided on biodiesel mandate (04/24/09)
A proposed law that would require all diesel sold in Iowa to contain 5 percent biodiesel has made it partway through Legislature but may not pass this year. Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from animal fats, corn oil and soybean oil. The Iowa Senate passed the measure in a 31-19 vote last week...

Code Green: Recycling program takes off at FVH (04/22/09)
Floyd Valley Hospital is "going green" on Earth Day. The hospital is kicking off a new recycling program today (Wednesday). Tim Paul, FVH's chief engineer who also heads up the hospital's "Green Committee," said it's fitting to start the hospital's recycling program on Earth Day...

Power to the people: NIPCO turns 60 (04/07/09)

Legislators challenge proposed tax changes: Who wins and who loses? (04/06/09)
A new tax law that would mean a tax cut for about one-half of Iowans and an increase or no change for the rest is at the center of legislative debate this week. Rep. Chuck Soderberg and Sen. Randy Feenstra visited with area residents in an open forum in Le Mars on that proposed tax bill and others Saturday...

Ethanol debate: Is your car ready for E-15? (03/12/09)
Currently, government rules allow non-flex-fuel vehicles to use only 10 percent ethanol in their gasoline. Politicians from Iowa are pushing for that to change. Earlier this week, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, spoke in support of allowing higher blends -- 15 percent...

Shaky economy has different effects on diners (03/02/09)
Does a downturn in the economy mean more people are eating in rather than eating out? Last week customers at Fareway Stores Inc., in Le Mars, were on both sides of the debate. Dawn Topet, of Le Mars, said her family has been eating out a lot, especially lately because she and her husband work different shifts...

Economic downturn means havoc for Iowa budget woes (02/09/09)
Plymouth County legislators Rep. Chuck Soderberg and Sen. Randy Feenstra said the economic downturn is presenting some real challenges for the Iowa Legislature this year. The two spoke at a 9 a.m. Legislator's Forum Saturday at the Le Mars Public Library...

2008 in review: Hellos and goodbyes (12/31/08)
Editor's note: This is the second of two stories recapping 2008's top stories in the Daily Sentinel. 5. Iowa begins Smokefree Air Act Indoor smoking, except in people's homes, became a rarity after the Smokefree Air Act went into effect in Iowa July 1. ...

Winter heating costs on the rise? Officials say no (12/16/08)
Local energy suppliers say residents will not see an increase in cost to heat their homes this winter. Gasoline and diesel along with propane and natural gas prices have fallen considerably in the last couple of months. "For natural gas customers we are projecting the same heating costs as last winter," said Mark Reinders, MidAmerican Energy, communications manager...

Supervisors give stamp of a approval to Merrill urban renewal (11/19/08)
An urban renewal area around and in Merrill became a reality Tuesday. Following a public hearing, the Plymouth County Supervisors approved an urban renewal district to encompass the entire city of Merrill and around Plymouth Energy ethanol plant, Plymouth Oil, a food-grade oil plant and Midwest PMS, the liquid cattle feed mill...

County solidifies help for Girls Inc. (11/11/08)
Girls Inc., a Sioux City nonprofit providing programs encouraging girls to develop self-esteem and productive life goals, officially received a helping hand from Plymouth County last week. The Plymouth County Supervisors, after a public hearing, unanimously approved allowing Girls Inc. to pass $4.3 million in bonds through the county. The money will help Girls Inc. build a new activity center in Sioux City...

Homeowner gets approval for wind turbine (09/09/08)
A man in southern Plymouth County received approval Monday to install a 30-foot wind turbine on his property to help power his house. Craig Carrell, of Sioux City, sought a conditional use permit from the Plymouth County Board of Adjustment to build the wind generator on his property just north of Sioux City in Perry Township near county road C-80...

Wind blows Texas oilman in to Le Mars to talk energy (08/15/08)
He may be 80 but an audience member still called T. Boone Pickens a "rockstar." The Texas oilman and billionaire landed his jet at the Le Mars airport Thursday afternoon to spin to Iowans his plan for reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil. His idea: shift to using more wind energy and natural gas -- two things in which the nation is rich...

Plymouth Oil may receive $1.2 million in tax benefits (07/22/08)
The State of Iowa pledged about $1.2 million in tax incentives to a plant near Merrill that will make corn oil for food and cooking. The $30 million Plymouth Oil plant is planned next to the 50-million-gallon Plymouth Energy LLC ethanol plant near Merrill. The projected completion date is July 31, 2013, according to an Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) spokesperson...

Increase of fuel theft at the pump not prevalent in Le Mars (07/18/08)
Throughout the country, high gas prices have caused the theft of gasoline at the pump to skyrocket. With prices around $4 per gallon, people around the nation are more tempted to bolt after filling up. Thankfully this trend in crime has not gripped Le Mars for the most part. But "drive-aways" from the pump do still happen...

Grassley gives his take on fuel crunch at Le Mars meeting (07/01/08)
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley praised ethanol and drilling for more oil in the United States during his stop at a Le Mars town hall meeting where concern about energy and food prices was the prevailing mood. Speaking to a crowd of about 50 people at the American Bank Monday, Grassley responded to questions about fuel prices by presenting his idea for an energy program...

Entities will pay administration costs for county's help (06/19/08)
The Plymouth County Supervisors on Tuesday approved charging $1,500 in administrative costs for helping issue bonds or grants under its tax-free canopy. The topic came to light when Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization from Sioux City, requested the county's help to route revenue bonds through the county...

Corn oil plant seeks property tax relief from county (06/18/08)
A proposed $30 million corn oil plant near Merrill inched closer to reality this week. The Plymouth County Supervisors on Tuesday approved five years of property tax relief for Plymouth Oil L.L.C. The first year will be a 75 percent break declining to 15 percent in the fifth year...

Gas station falls victim to burglars (06/17/08)
CarGo Express Convenience Store No. 1 was damaged and robbed sometime after 11 p.m. Friday. Police estimated the value of items stolen and the damage done to the business at $7,000. Le Mars Police Department officers were called to the store, at 327 Plymouth St. N.E., at about 6:45 a.m. Saturday, June 14...

Local businesses may see upside of high gas prices (06/06/08)
Mark Ellis and his family are making adaptations to cope with higher gas prices. Ellis, of rural Le Mars, said when they bought a new car recently, they opted for a vehicle that can travel 45 miles per gallon -- much higher than the 17 mpg their van gets...

Group looks at making Le Mars healthier (05/05/08)
A garden where people from the community can come grow their own vegetables and fruit. More bike racks around town. A website that lists recreation options and local food venders around the area. These were just three of the ideas a community group is throwing around as possible additions to Le Mars through a program called Iowa Fit for Life...

Corn oil producer planned near Merrill ethanol plant (04/21/08)
Better together. That's what Dave Hoffman of Merrill says about the $30 million corn oil plant he and others are planning to build next to the Plymouth Energy ethanol plant near Merrill. The corn oil plant will produce up to 60 tons every day of the oil used for human food and cooking. Employing 25 people, the plant is slated to be in operation by the spring of 2009...

Pearson predicts bright future for agriculture (03/20/08)
Things are changing in agriculture and the long-term outlook is good, according to the host of a nationally syndicated farm program. Mark Pearson is host of "Market to Market," which is broadcast on public television stations across the United States. He brought his message about what's ahead in agriculture to Le Mars on Tuesday for the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Agri-Business luncheon...

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