RON WIECK STATE SENATOR Twenty-seventh District Statehouse: (515) 281-3371 – HOME ADDRESS 4362 Old Lakeport Road Sioux City, Iowa 51106 H: (712) 276-4008 ron.wieck@legis.state.ia.us

The Senate State of Iowa Eighty-first General Assembly STATEHOUSE Des Moines, Iowa 50319

COMMITTEES Business and Labor Relations, CoChair Commerce Government Oversight State Government Ways & Means

For Immediate Release Contact: Ron Wieck

Monday, March 20, 2006 (515) 281-3371

Wieck: Senate Approves Legislation to

Help Cherokee-Based Business Expand Alternative Energy Production

DES MOINES – The Senate today voted 46 to 2 in favor of legislation to help a Cherokee-based business expand alternative energy production, according to State Sen. Ron Wieck (R-Sioux City).

Lundell Manufacturing, of Cherokee, converts solid waste to paper fuel pellets that can be burned as an alternative source of energy.

The legislation, SF 2381, helps the company by changing the state’s solid waste management strategy so that more solid waste is diverted for combustion as alternative energy instead of being placed in landfills. The bill also changes state law so that facilities previously restricted from burning the pellets could do so to meet their energy needs.

“This legislation is good for the economy and the environment,” said Wieck. “Pelletized paper saves needed landfill space and burns cleaner than coal. Expanding alternative energy production also helps create jobs and encourages economic growth for the area.”

According to the company, the refuse conversion process reuses up to 70 percent of municipal solid waste. Approximately, 1.5 tons of pelletized paper can meet the same energy needs as one ton of coal. The pellets can help fuel power plants and heating systems.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

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