Former Gov. Culver forms energy consulting firm

Former Iowa Gov. Chet Culver plans to open a consulting firm that will focus on helping small businesses find less expensive ways to generate renewable energy. 

Culver had made building the state's renewable energy industry a priority in office, and he said he sees demand increasing as gas prices continue to rise and with the unrest in the Middle East. 

"More and more Americans see renewable energy as part of our energy portfolio," Culver told The Des Moines Register. 

Culver, a past chairman of the Governor's Wind Energy Coalition and Governors Biofuels Coalition, said he considered several options after losing the November election but decided to create the group because it will give him flexibility to do many things, such as marketing, business development, public policy work and advocacy. 
"I'm very excited about the jobs that can be created," he said. 

Expanding renewable energy companies can help the state "come back from the recession stronger and better," he said. 

Although Culver is the only member of the firm, named the Chet Culver Group, other partners are likely to join, said Brad Anderson of LinkStrategies, a Des Moines public relations firm. 

Fred Hubbell, a retired insurance executive and chairman of the Iowa Power Fund, said the move makes sense for Culver. 

"He was involved in a lot of national groups in renewable energy, so he has a lot of contacts and knowledge that could be pretty helpful," Hubbell said. 

Many renewable energy companies need expertise and money as they research and develop next generation technology, Hubbell said. He said Culver has insight into both. 

"There are a lot of ideas and opportunities out there," he said. 

Culver created the $25 million Iowa Power Fund to help finance renewable energy research and development. 

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who defeated the Democratic Culver, plans to eliminate the fund but has said projects can still get money through the state's economic development program. 

Culver said he plans to promote renewable energy nationally and internationally and hopes to find "nonpartisan opportunities" to advocate for education, infrastructure and other issues. 

His first client is Viryd Technologies, an Austin, Texas-based producer of small wind turbines. 

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com