DES MOINES – Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Monday that Iowa now generates more than 31.3 percent of its energy from wind. According to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Iowa is now the first and only state in the United States that has crossed the 30 percent mark.
“We are proud of Iowa’s leadership in wind energy,” said Gov. Branstad, chairman of the Governor’s Wind and Solar Energy Coalition. “We’ve seen exponential growth in wind energy and the data released last week reinforces what we’ve been seeing in every corner of our state. With potential to jump above 40% in the next five years, we are committed to building an even greener Iowa future that will provide our Iowa families with cleaner, renewable energy and job opportunities.”
Growing wind farms in Iowa has attracted $11.8 billion dollars to the state’s economy according to data released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) last week. Wind can supply 40 percent of the Hawkeye State’s in-state electricity generation within the next five years – generating enough electricity for 6.3 million average American homes – according to a report by AWEA that uses U.S. Department of Energy data.
Lt. Gov. Reynolds added, “As chair of the Iowa Energy Plan, I’ve heard first-hand from existing and prospective companies how important it is to have clean, renewable and reliable sources of energy like wind. The data released last week shows how committed Iowa is to promoting an environment for companies to grow and innovate. But we are not done yet and believe that Iowa is on the forefront of an even greater renewable future for our state.”
“Iowa is blessed with world-class wind resources,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association. “We’re tapping into this homegrown resource more than ever thanks to American innovation and U.S. workers building the most productive wind turbines in the world. More than ever low-cost wind energy is keeping our air clean and cutting costs for consumers. American wind power is well on its way to supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030.”
