Six businesses join solar tour for state legislators

WHAT: 1000 Friends of Iowa will lead legislators and influencers through Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, and West Des Moines on a fact-finding tour of commercial properties with solar rooftops

WHO: Confirmed tourists are Sen. Claire Celsi (D-West Des Moines), Rep. John Forbes (D-Urbandale), Jake Ketzner (Iowa Conservative Energy Forum), Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights). Rob Taylor (Iowa Conservative Energy Forum) will join starting at the press stop. Confirmed tour guides are Kari Carney (1000 Friends of Iowa), Patrick Snell (The Nature Conservancy, Solarize Waukee) and Allison Van Pelt (Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization). Solar installers will be present at three sites.

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Each stop along the tour will last approximately 15 minutes

9:30 – 940 a.m. Medicap, 8170 Douglas Ave, Urbandale.

9:45 Group boards the van at Medicap

9:55 – 10:10 Stanbrough Realty, 10888 Hickman Rd, Clive

10:25 – 10:50 The Palms Theater, 200 NE Westgate Dr, Waukee.

10:55-11:05 Peoples Bank, 1185 SE University Ave, Waukee

11:20 – 11:35 Sun Prairie Apartments, 5901 Vista Dr, West Des Moines

11:45 – 12 travel Ultimate Car Wash, 104 14th St, West Des Moines

12:15 Return to individual vehicles at Medicap, 8170 Douglas Ave, Urbandale

WHY: Solar tax credits, net metering, and grid use fees were topics of debate in the 2019 legislative session. This tour was organized to educate lawmakers for the 2020 legislative session.

HOW: Media are welcome to capture images and video at each stop along the tour; interaction with the “tourists” will occur during the media stop at The Palms Theatre and IMAX. For interviews or additional information please contact Julia McGuire, 515-988-1828, awards@1000friendsofiowa.org.