The Hawkeye State was one of seven selected by the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices to participate in a policy academy designed to help states develop such strategies.

“Iowa’s selection for this academy demonstrates Iowa’s leadership in moving the U.S. towards energy independence,” said Gov. Chet Culver.

The state already has a Green Government Initiative, which instructs state agencies to collaborate in order to set energy efficiency goals and to implement programs with a specific focus on using sustainable materials and energy-efficient buildings. The state is also developing the “Be Smart” program, which will offer assistance to public buildings searching for ways to become more energy efficient.

As energy providers eye possible rate increases, state officials say they have to do more.

“Investments in building energy efficiency are proven ways to save money and create good paying jobs right here in Iowa,” said Roya Stanley, director of the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. “Our participation in this academy will allow us to leverage our substantial energy efficiency experience with new ideas from around the nation to deliver great results for Iowa’s citizens, businesses and government agencies.”

As a part of the Advanced Energy Strategies for Buildings policy academy, representatives from Stanley’s office will work with leading experts and teams from other states to develop action plans that include:

• Identifying cost-effective strategies for reducing energy use from buildings, such as improving building codes and encouraging participation in voluntary certification programs.

• Designing new policies and programs that promote the adoption of smart energy use, such as increasing consumption from renewable sources.

• Developing innovative funding and financing options to support implementation of its findings.

According to the Office on Energy Independence, buildings consume more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy. They account for nearly three-quarters of all electricity generation; approximately 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions; and large amounts of onsite fuel use.

The six states chosen in addition to Iowa are Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin. The selections were based on a competitive process, and the academy is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

“More than in any other end-use sector, states can play a major role in reducing energy use in buildings,” said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center. “This Policy Academy will help states work through some of the challenges they face when developing policies to improve energy efficiency and increase use of renewable energy in buildings.”

More information on the NGA’s push for energy efficiency can be found on the organization’s Web site.

“I think I heard my grandfather telling me to come here,” Wallace said. “After the financial crisis erupted, I did some research to see what my grandfather would think about what is going on with the economy. He lived through the last economic crisis … and I thought he would have some things to say that would help me talk to Iowans today.”

Henry Scott Wallace, grandson to former Vice President Henry A. Wallace, spoke with volunteers at the Cedar Falls Obama headquarters on Sunday afternoon.

Wallace said he had been pouring through his grandfather’s papers for advice, realizing that his grandfather worked with farmers during the Great Depression, but had no idea about some of the challenges we face today.

“I don’t think there is anyone would be more excited about Barack Obama than Henry A. Wallace,” the grandson proudly announced. “I think my grandfather would be incredulous that our country has forgotten the lessons of the Great Depression — lessons that huge corporations, left to their own devices without any government oversight will exhalt their bottom line. That’s their job, to provide for shareholders.”

The past eight years, which has been full of deregulation, has left the country “reaping what it has sown,” according to Wallace.

“McCain has been quoted as saying that he is always in favor of less regulation,” Wallace charged. “Government should be on the side of people and not asleep and letting big business do what it wants.”

Eight-year-old Nathaniel Harwood was in the Cedar Falls headquarters more than an hour before Wallace was scheduled to arrive. He spent his time building canvass packets for the afternoon walking teams.

Another issue that would excite his grandfather, Wallace said, where the differences between McCain and Obama on the issue of renewable energy.

“Obama has voted for renewable energy, and research on wind, ethanol and other renewable fuels,” Wallace said. “At every available opportunity, McCain has voted against. Investing in a renewable energy economy is something I think my grandfather would see as a way to lift the entire economy out of the current economic crisis. Obama gets it. He gets the struggles and economic challenges facing Iowans today while McCain is all over the map. I’m afraid [McCain] doesn’t understand where this country needs to go on agriculture and the economy.”

Wallace said in addition to understanding how his grandfather would view the current economic crisis, that he feels this is “the most important election of his lifetime.”