Iowa Governor Culver Calls On Congress, Administration To Increase Wind Energy Use And Production

Midwestern Governors push for Renewable Energy Standard at American Wind Energy Association annual meeting

May 5, 2009 -- CHICAGO – Chairing a panel discussion of Midwestern governors at the American Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER 2009 conference, Iowa Governor Chet Culver called on Congress and the Obama-Biden administration to pass a “Renewable Energy Standard” in order to open markets for Midwestern wind energy projects and to ensure the long-term growth of the wind industry nationwide. Governor Culver was joined by Governors Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Ted Strickland (D-OH) and Jim Doyle (D-WI).

Article continues below...

“As Co-Chair of the Governors’ Wind Coalition, I am excited about President Obama’s leadership and vision for our nation’s energy independence, and I ask our federal partners to take a major step forward by passing a federal Renewable Energy Standard,” said Governor Culver. “As Governors, we are committed to helping open markets for companies investing in our states, putting people back to work by creating good, green-collar jobs, and rebuilding our national economy by taking advantages of the opportunities of renewable energy.”

Iowa recently surpassed California to rank second nationally in current wind generation output with nearly 2,900 megawatts generated by 2,056 turbines across the state. It is estimated Iowa will generate 15% of its electricity from wind energy in 2009, which would lead the nation.

In addition, Iowa is a national leader in the manufacture of wind energy component parts – towers, blade, and turbines – one of only two states with this distinction. Nine major wind energy manufacturers have located or plan to locate or expand their wind manufacturing operations in Iowa, creating 2,300 ‘green collar’ jobs. Those companies include Acciona in West Branch, Siemens USA in Fort Madison, Clipper Wind in Cedar Rapids, NextEra Energy Resources in Story City, Goian North America in Ankeny, Heartland Energy Solutions in Mount Ayr, John Deere Wind in Johnston and TPI Components and Trinity Industries in Newton.

Governor Culver’s signature $100 million renewable energy program – the Iowa Power Fund – and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence promote the state’s burgeoning wind industry and provide grants to companies and researchers in Iowa who are fostering renewable energy within the state. Last month, Governor Culver signed two bills into law to further the state’s efforts to support the growth of renewable energy in Iowa: Senate File 456, which utilizes unused tax credits to promote small wind energy projects across the state, and House File 817, which provides economic incentives for wind component manufacturers who are looking at building or expanding in Iowa.

WINDPOWER 2009 convenes more than 18,000 wind industry leaders, government officials, and business executives, along with more than 1,200 exhibitors, at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center for the world’s largest annual wind energy industry event.

Source: Iowa Governor