The EAIS Board of Directors met for a strategic planning session on April 7. In addition to strategizing to engage more schools in the countdown to the July 2027 deadline for testing school facilities for radon, the Board refined our organizational beliefs.
BLOG
Join Our Team–Marketing intern
Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) is looking for a dedicated, fun, and hardworking person to assist with the development, creation, and implementation of EAIS public relations and communications, including the organization’s e-newsletter, video, and social media content.
Acceptable Level of Radon
There is no “acceptable level” of radon. However, the EPA has established 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) as the United States “Action Level” at which a plan should be made to correct elevated radon levels.
Keeping Radon out of Buildings
The best kind of radon is the radon that never enters a building.
Radon-resistant construction techniques are required by Iowa law for new school construction and should be discussed with architects during the planning stages of any building project.
How Radon Gets Indoors
No matter how old or new, every building has the potential for elevated levels of radon. Radon gas moves upward through cracks and other openings in the foundations of buildings from the soil below. Concentrations can vary based on source strength and soil permeability.
Health Effects of Radon
Prolonged exposure to elevated radon concentrations causes an increased risk of lung cancer. The decay products resulting from radon are the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the United States.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It comes from the natural breakdown or decay of uranium, which is found in soil and rock all over the United States and the world.
Conference explores options for school solar
Several speakers discussed solar power from various perspectives during the September 25 Iowa School Energy Conference in Ames. Tyler Puls of Des Moines Public Schools discussed his district’s experience with a school-owned solar project, while Julie Weisshar of EAIS...
Trainings for radon testing under way
With winter Radon Testing Season fast approaching (and only nine testing months remaining before the July 1, 2027 deadline), our Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) Radon Team has been hard at work training school districts to test for radon. The final kickoff workshop of 2024 will be held at Heartland AEA in Johnston on October 29 and is already sold out.
IRA benefits for Iowa schools
Steve Guyer of the Iowa Environmental Council spoke about the Inflation Reduction Act, net metering, and direct pay for clean energy incentives the September 25 Iowa School Energy Conference in Ames.
Electrification brings budget stability, health benefits
Jacob Serfling of the Midwest Decarbonization Coalition spoke about the benefits of building electrification at the September 25 Iowa School Energy Conference in Ames.
Electric buses drive toward the future
Tim Hood and Tim Lemrick of Sidney Community School District (CSD) spoke about their experiences working with electric school buses at the September 25 Iowa School Energy Conference in Ames. The district, according to Hood, acquired three electric school buses after...
The New Guy learns about EAIS, Part 2
You don’t know what you don’t know. As the new guy around the Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) office, I’m in heavy duty learning mode. Because there’s a lot I didn’t know about this nimble organization’s to-do list. EAIS provides energy management, radon...
Iowa School Energy Conference ’24 speakers and topics
Slated for September 25 at ISU's Reiman Gardens, the Iowa School Energy Conference, presented by Energy Association of Iowa Schools, will feature some of the most talented and experienced speakers in Iowa's clean energy space. With emphasis on How Do These Policies,...
The New Guy Learns about EAIS, Part 1
You don't know what you don't know. As the new guy around the Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) office, I’m in warp speed learning mode. Because there’s a lot I didn’t know about this nimble organization’s to-do list. In short, EAIS provides energy management,...
Iowa School Energy Conference approaches-Register Now
Want to learn how to leverage federal dollars and energy generation and/or efficiency to save General Fund dollars? Iowa's public school districts are invited to attend the Iowa School Energy Conference and get ahead...
Only nine months remain to complete required radon testing
Objects in mirror are closer than they appear: Register now for October radon test Kickoffs It seems a long way into the future. After all, it’s about three years away. But when it comes to the State of Iowa mandate that all schools test their facilities for radon by...
Join Our Team–EAIS Is Hiring!
Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) is looking for a dedicated, fun and hardworking person to provide organizational and administrative support to the EAIS executive director. This person will also assist with the development, creation and implementation of EAIS...
Remembering Kelly Needles
Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS) is sad to share that one of our original supporters, Kelly Needles, has passed away. One of our favorite things about Kelly was his positive attitude. When you asked how he was doing, even as he was fighting cancer, every day...
Radon: Iowa Public Schools Keeping Students Safe
Did you know that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States? Iowa's public schools are required by law to test for and fix elevated radon levels. However, homes are likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure. Join...
EAIS Awarded Region 14 Intermediary Grant
Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS), a statewide nonprofit based in Creston, IA, has been selected by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) as Area/Region 14's Intermediary Work-Based Learning Grant recipient for the 2023-24 school year. EAIS is excited to be working...