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DEWAR --- The prospect of a coal-fired power plant being built in Black Hawk County has led a rural Black Hawk County farmer to challenge Rep. Deborah Berry in the Democratic primary.

Don Shatzer, 59, made the announcement Wednesday night at the Dewar Community Center.

He challenged people to "start breaking away from energy as usual" and stop using coal and other fossil fuels.

"We are entering a new era in the way energy will be produced, and we need legislators who understand that Iowa is in a unique position to prosper and grow through the development of renewable energy," he said in a news release.

Berry, a three-term incumbent, represents Iowa's House District 22, which covers the east side of Waterloo, Evansdale and Elk Run Heights.

Shatzer is the vice president of Community Energy Solutions, a local group opposed to the construction of the Elk Run Energy Station on Newell Road.

He has been an outspoken critic of the plan.

Last week, the plant hit a roadblock when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources denied a construction permit for LS Power, the company behind the project.

Shatzer said he was disappointed Berry hasn't taken a position on the plant. He also isn't daunted about running against an incumbent, even if that person is a member of the same party.

"My feeling is people deserve choices," he said.

He said he would like to see more money invested in renewable energy projects like wind, solar or geothermal power.

Shatzer, a John Deere retiree and member of United Auto Workers Local 838, also said he'd like to see more focus on pocketbook issues like passing a fair share proposal, where nonunion workers would be required to pay a fee for union services.

He would also like to see a moratorium on the construction of concentrated animal feeding operations until some sort of regulatory reform is passed.

Contact Josh Nelson

at (319) 291-1565

or josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.