Molly Ayala
The introduction of electricity to rural Iowa was a gradual process that occurred over several decades. While urban areas like Cedar Rapids had access to electricity as early as the 1880s, it took longer for electrical infrastructure to reach more remote parts of the state. In 1936, the federal government passed the Rural Electric Act (REA), providing loans to farmers to establish rural electric cooperatives and bringing electricity to farm homes. This marked a significant step forward in bridging the gap between urban and rural communities in terms of access to modern conveniences and technologies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date when electricity first came to Iowa | 1883 |
| First use of electricity in Iowa | Electric streetlights in Cedar Rapids |
| First wave of electricity-utilizing inventions | Telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse in 1832 |
| First telegraph line in Iowa | Linn County, 1859 |
| First municipal electrical generator in the US | Built by Thomas Edison in New York City in 1882 |
| Federal intervention to help Iowa farms get electricity | 1936, with the Rural Electric Act (REA) |
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What You'll Learn
The Rural Electric Act (REA)
The Rural Electrification Act (REA) of 1936 was enacted on May 20, 1936, to provide federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems in isolated rural areas across the United States. This was done to help farm families get electricity, as they lacked access to it due to the high costs of electrification in these regions. The act set up an agency to loan money to farmers, enabling them to build and operate rural electric cooperatives or "co-ops." These cooperatives were owned by the farmers themselves, and any profits were returned to the farmer-users. The co-ops hired individuals to dig holes for electricity poles, and power lines began to stretch across the countryside. Initially, the cooperatives bought electricity from private electrical companies, but they eventually built their own generators.
The enactment of the REA transformed agriculture and life in rural America, bridging the gap between country and town homes. By 1950, close to 80% of U.S. farms had electric service, compared to only 3% in the early 1930s. This was a significant improvement, and generations later, stories are still told about "the night the lights came on." The REA also had a social impact, as it improved the lives of women in rural areas, who could now use electric stoves and washing machines, no longer needing to do their washing in a river and iron clothes over a hot stove.
The REA was one of many New Deal proposals by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address high unemployment during the Great Depression. It was initially created through Executive Order 7037, issued by Roosevelt on May 11, 1935, establishing the Rural Electrification Administration. The act was then endorsed by Congress and signed into law by Roosevelt in 1936.
Over the years, the REA has undergone amendments and extensions. In 1944, loan terms were increased to 35 years, and in 1949, the act was extended to allow loans to telephone companies wishing to extend their connections to rural areas. The act has continued to be amended to include provisions for rural broadband telecommunications and internet access, as well as restructuring direct loan programs for rural electricity and energy conservation.
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Electric streetlights in Cedar Rapids
The arrival of electricity in rural Iowa was a gradual process that occurred over several decades. In 1880, Thomas Edison invented a working model of a lightbulb, and two years later, he built the first municipal electrical generator in New York City. This sparked a wave of electrification across America, with towns gradually replacing kerosene lamps with light bulbs.
Cedar Rapids, a city in Iowa, has a history of street lighting that reflects the broader trends in the state and the nation. While the exact timeline of when electric streetlights were introduced to Cedar Rapids is not readily available, we can infer that it occurred sometime after the initial electrification of American towns following Edison's inventions.
Today, Cedar Rapids continues to upgrade its street lighting infrastructure. In July 2014, the City of Cedar Rapids adopted a Complete Streets Policy, mandating that all new street lights be LED. This initiative aimed to improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance the safety and vibrancy of downtown areas. The new LED streetlights were projected to halve the city's annual electric bill for street lighting, with the number of streetlight posts reduced from 879 to 489.
The process for installing new streetlights in Cedar Rapids is well-defined. When a request for a street light is made, the proposed location is reviewed to ensure it meets spacing requirements. If approved, a petition is sent to the requestor to be signed by the affected residents. If an existing utility pole can be utilised, there is no cost for the installation. The city also addresses street light outages and issues, such as bulbs burning out or photocell malfunctions.
The city has also undertaken lighting upgrades in various locations, including the Police Department, the Water Pollution Control Facility, and the Water Department's Administration building. These upgrades involve replacing high-pressure sodium lights with more energy-efficient LED fixtures, reducing energy consumption and costs.
In conclusion, while the exact introduction date of electric streetlights in Cedar Rapids is unknown, the city has actively embraced modern lighting technologies. The adoption of LED streetlights and ongoing lighting upgrades demonstrate Cedar Rapids' commitment to energy efficiency, cost reduction, and improved public spaces, contributing to the overall well-being of its residents and the environment.
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Electric trains in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway, also known as the CRANDIC, is a Class III railroad that has been operating in the US state of Iowa since 1904. The CRANDIC currently operates 60 miles of mainline and more than 40 miles of yard trackage in four east-central Iowa counties. The first electric interurban train departed from Cedar Rapids on August 13, 1904.
The original design of the CRANDIC was for a high-speed 27-mile interurban rail system connecting the metropolitan areas of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Construction on the initial Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway line, originally known as the "Interurban," began in 1903. The little railroad eventually became known and nationally recognized as CRANDIC, representing the communities it served: Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
On its first day of operation, a booster power station was started for the first time. That power station would eventually become the Iowa Electric Power and Light Company, and later the CRANDIC parent company Alliant Energy. CRANDIC provided both freight and passenger service along its route. The last official run of a CRANDIC passenger train occurred on May 30, 1953, after which the company converted to an all-diesel fleet.
In the 1980s, CRANDIC acquired the Milwaukee line through Amana and the Rock Island line from Iowa City to Hills. This expansion played a key role in bringing four new major industrial companies to the area in the 1990s. In 2024, the CRANDIC Rail team launched a significant two-year project to replace the historic Iowa River rail bridge near Middle Amana, Iowa.
In the early 2010s, plans emerged to reintroduce passenger rail service along an 8.2-mile segment of the CRANDIC corridor between North Liberty, Coralville, and the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. The preferred alternative is a "Pop-Up Metro" pilot service that would utilize British Rail Class 230 battery-electric multiple units (BEMUs) repurposed from former London Underground D78 Stock. If funded, the pilot service is expected to begin in 2026.
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Iowa State University's power plant
The Iowa State University Power Plant is a coal-fired power station owned and operated by the university. The plant has been in operation since the late 1800s and is located on the east edge of the Iowa State campus in Ames, Iowa. The power plant was constructed in 1906, replacing the original plant building from 1891. It has since been upgraded and expanded numerous times to meet the growing energy demands of the university and to comply with more stringent environmental regulations. Today, the power plant operates continuously and can supply all the heating, cooling, and electricity needs of the university.
The power plant uses coal from Kentucky and Illinois, burning 148,965 tons of coal and generating 28,000 tons of coal ash per year. The coal-fired boilers produce steam, which is used to spin turbines to generate electricity. The electricity is then distributed across the campus at 13,800 volts through several substations. The power plant typically generates around 60-70% of the university's electricity, with the remaining purchased from the City of Ames or other sources.
In recent years, there have been protests by students and environmental organizations calling for the university to transition away from coal and adopt more sustainable energy practices. The Beyond Coal Campaign aims to empower Iowa State University to become a leader in sustainability and address the urgent issue of climate change. As part of its efforts, the university has started supplementing coal with other forms of energy, such as purchasing power from a nearby wind farm.
The power plant also plays a crucial role in providing cooling and heating for the campus. The North Chilled Water Plant chillers and the main Power Plant chillers work together to meet the year-round cooling demands of the campus. Additionally, steam from the boilers is used for heating during the winter months. The power plant's ability to generate electricity, steam heat, and chilled water showcases its versatility in supporting the energy needs of the Iowa State University community.
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Iowa State's electrical grid connection
Iowa's history with electricity dates back to the late 19th century when, in 1883, Cedar Rapids' streets were lit by both gas lamps and electric lights. In the same year, the city's newspaper, The Gazette, featured an ad for a New York dry goods store showcasing the owner's investment in electric lighting. This marked one of the earliest adoptions of electricity in the state.
In the early 20th century, from 1904 to 1953, the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) utilised electric trains to transport people between the two cities. During this period, the state witnessed a transition from gas-lit streetlights to electric lighting, with the latter becoming more prevalent over time.
However, it was in 1936 that a significant step was taken to bring electricity to rural Iowa. The federal government intervened to assist farm families in gaining access to electricity. The Rural Electric Act (REA) was passed, establishing an agency to loan money to farmers to establish and operate rural electric cooperatives, or co-ops. These co-ops were owned by the farmers themselves, and any financial surplus was returned to the farmer-owners. This initiative led to the installation of electricity poles and power lines across the countryside, bringing electricity to farm homes.
While the process faced temporary setbacks due to World War II, which caused shortages in copper wire and other essential materials, the post-war period saw rapid progress. By the mid-1980s, the need for a more reliable electrical connection was recognised, particularly for critical infrastructure like universities. In 1993, Iowa State University constructed the Haber Road Substation, establishing its first dependable connection to the electrical grid. This project was a collaboration with the City of Ames, allowing the university to choose between generating its electricity or purchasing it from external suppliers.
In 2009, Iowa State University took a step towards renewable energy by partnering with the City of Ames to source wind energy from a wind farm in northeast Story County, marking a more sustainable direction for the state's electrical grid connections.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity came to rural Iowa in 1936 when the federal government stepped in to help farm families get electricity.
Congress passed the Rural Electric Act (REA) which set up an agency to loan money to farmers to build and operate rural electric cooperatives.
Electricity brought many benefits to farm families in Iowa, such as electric refrigerators, allowing them to make Jell-O, which previously only town families could do.
