Iowa’s Dependence on Imported Coal

In 2008, Iowa imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in $496 million leaving the state, primarily to Wyoming. Coal accounted for 76.1% of Iowa's electricity generation, making the state the second most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use (78%). To reduce this dependence, Iowa is utilizing energy efficiency programs and renewable energy, specifically wind power, where it has over 3,600 megawatts of installed capacity.

• In 2008, Iowa imported 100% of the coal used by its power plants, which cost the state $496 million, with the majority of these funds going to Wyoming.
• Coal was the dominant source of electricity in Iowa in 2008, providing 76.1% of generation. This reliance placed Iowa as the 2nd most dependent state on net imports as a share of total power use at 78%.
• Iowa's other 2008 electricity sources included nuclear (10.0%), non-hydro renewables (8.0%), natural gas (4.1%), and hydroelectric (1.5%).
• Iowa is leveraging wind power and bioenergy to increase energy independence, with wind power already reaching over 3,600 megawatts of installed capacity.
• Iowa invested nearly $19 per person in ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in 2007, which reduced electricity use by 0.7%.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2010). Iowa’s Dependence on Imported Coal. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Iowa.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Iowa’s Dependence on Imported Coal. 2010. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Iowa.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Iowa’s Dependence on Imported Coal |date=May 2010 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Iowa.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2010iowas, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Iowa’s Dependence on Imported Coal}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2010}, month = may, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/UCS-BCBC-factsheet-Iowa.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }