Debi Durham, Gov. Branstad’s choice to lead Iowa’s economic development efforts in his new administration, was today named by Governor Branstad to oversee the Office of Energy Independence as part of her efforts to overhaul Iowa’s economic development programs.

“It is my intention to do a thorough cost-benefit analysis of every economic development tool currently used by the state, including those provided through the Office of Energy Independence,” said Branstad. “While no final decisions have been made regarding the long-term fate of this office, it is appropriate to have Debi Durham over see the Office of Energy Independence as a function of her larger role to create a new economic development engine for the state of Iowa.”