Which Midwestern states have adopted energy plans to help guide the decisions of policymakers?
Many Midwestern states are seeking to diversify their energy sources, with a goal of increased energy independence. Increasingly, they are adopting plans to guide energy growth while minimizing costs and increasing energy security. These plans vary in terms of comprehensiveness, the source of the directive, and responsibility for developing and updating them. Since 1988, Minnesota has required its Department of Commerce every four years to prepare a report “designed to identify major emerging trends and issues in energy supply, consumption, conservation and costs.” In Iowa, the Department of Natural Resources was charged in 1990 with developing the states first comprehensive energy plan and updating it biennially. The plans goal is “the development, management and efficient utilization of all energy resources in the state,” and requires the department to “evaluate existing energy utilization with regard to energy efficiency and … evaluate the future energy needs of the state.” After
