Energy Portfolio
Linn County REC is dedicated to providing reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity. We obtain 100% of our electric power from Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO), a generation and transmission cooperative.
CIPCO meets our energy needs with a diverse fuel mix of coal, solar, hydro, landfill gas, wind, and natural gas energy resources. Fuel diversity is essential because no single energy source can always meet all our needs, as consumer demand changes based on time of day and temperature. A well-balanced mix ensures that Linn County REC members receive safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.
This fuel diversity benefits Linn County REC members in several ways:
- Supports sustainability by incorporating low-emission energy sources like wind and solar. These resources help reduce our environmental impact, but because they generate power intermittently, maintaining a diverse mix ensures reliability when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.
- Reduces regulatory risk by limiting exposure to emissions-related regulations and avoiding costly abatements that could increase energy prices.
- Boost’s reliability by ensuring power is available under a wide range of conditions, including during extreme weather events.
- Additional revenue is made by selling renewable energy certificates (RECs) associated with wind and solar resources instead of retiring the RECs. This results in additional revenue that contributes to lower energy costs, benefiting all members.
CIPCO continues to invest in new technology and renewable energy production, supporting Iowa's development of renewable energy resources.
