Branstad And Six Other Midwest Governors Appeal To EPA
(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad, along with governors from six other midwestern
states sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina
McCarthy asking the Obama Administration to remove a significant regulatory
obstacle that is preventing large-scale availability and use of E15 and mid-level
ethanol blends.
Branstad said, “Today, bi-partisan Governors from around the Midwest are joining
together to strongly urge the EPA to act now to correct the unfair treatment for
E15. EPA has the authority to resolve this regulatory hurdle to give more
Americans the choice of a cleaner-burning, lower-cost, higher octane, renewable
fuel and we hope they do so immediately.”
Currently, more than 300 fuel stations across the U.S. offer drivers the choice of
E15, and that number is growing as a result of the USDA Biofuels Infrastructure
Partnership and industry efforts such as “Prime the Pump.” However, the existing
number of E15 stations is only a fraction of the more than 150,000 fuel stations
nationwide. Fuel station owners consistently report that the greatest obstacle to
offering E15 is the inequitable Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) regulation of E10 and
E15. Unbalanced RVP treatment makes it difficult for retailers in a conventional
fuel area to offer E15 year round as a registered fuel.
Gov. Branstad and the six other Midwestern Governors are strongly urging EPA to
take immediate action to establish a volatility regime that allows a uniform
gasoline blendstock to be suitable for blending both E10 and E15 year round. Those
other governors that joined Branstad by signing the letter addressed to the
Environmental Protection Agency include: Gov. Mark Dayton (D-MN), Gov. Jack
Dalrymple (R-ND), Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R-SD), Gov. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Gov. Sam
Brownback (R-KS) and Gov. Jay Nixon (D-MO).
Branstad Defends Actions Of Closing Mental Health Institutions
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court will formally hear details of a
lawsuit against Gov. Terry Branstad that challenges his decision last year to
close two state mental health institutes.
The court is set to hear arguments Wednesday to determine if Branstad’s veto
of funding for the facilities in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant was proper and
constitutional.
The president of Iowa’s largest public employees union and several Democratic
lawmakers filed the lawsuit in July 2015, shortly after Branstad vetoed funding
for the facilities. Branstad has argued patients at the institutes are able to
access care through other services.
The lawsuit claims Iowa law requires the institutes to be open alongside
institutes in Cherokee and Independence. A district court judge ruled in favor of
Branstad.
Iowa City Adjustment Board To Decide On Kinnick-Style Home
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa City Board of Adjustment is scheduled to decide
Wednesday whether to let a couple build a 7,500-square-foot home designed to
resemble Kinnick Stadium.
A group called the Neighbors of Manville Heights Association and property
owners in the area are appealing the city’s June issuance of a building permit to
Reed and Sandy Carlson. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports (https://icp-
c.com/2cNkaJ8 ) that the opponents cited the home’s size, the potential for big
parties, as well as concerns about drainage, fire safety and erosion.
The board has the final say over matters of zoning, variances and permits,
unless someone takes the board to court over its decision.
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Murder Trial To Begin Focusing On Woman’s Body Found Near Stolen Truck
VINTON, Iowa (AP) – A murder trial has begun for a man accused of killing a woman
whose body was found in his driveway near a stolen truck.
Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports (https://bit.ly/2cL8O8z ) that
jury selection in the trial of 32-year-old David Miller began Monday. He’s charged
with first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Sabrina Janish, of
Shellsburg.
Police say they found Janish’s body on Oct. 25 next to the stolen truck. An
autopsy showed she had been strangled and stabbed multiple times.
Investigators say they have DNA evidence linking Miller to the woman’s death.
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Des Moines Wants To Expand Airport Terminal
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials unveiled a proposed $500 million terminal at the
Des Moines airport that they say is needed because of increased use.
KCCI-TV reports (https://bit.ly/2cN6tKp ) officials presented plans Tuesday at
a public hearing.
They say the current terminal, built in 1948, isn’t large enough to handle
increased use.
The proposal includes 14 gates and a new parking garage.
The terminal would overlap the existing building and curve to the northeast.
That’s less expensive than an earlier plan, which placed a new terminal on the
south side of the airport.
More details will be released later. The airport board will vote on a plan in
October.
Construction wouldn’t begin until 2022.
Although federal funds and airport fees would finance much of the
construction, state and local funding would also be needed.