A public utility company announced plans to pursue another major wind investment in Iowa, helping solidify the state?s national leadership in renewable energy.
Alliant Energy filed for an approval from the Iowa Utilities Board Thursday. If granted the approval, the company will add 500 megawatts of wind energy in Iowa.
Doug Kopp is president of Iowa?s Alliant Energy Company. Kopp said its customers and communities would benefit from the cost effective clean energy investment.
?Our wind energy projects will help keep energy costs stable over the long-term for customers,? Kopp said.
Governor Reynolds said Iowa holds the sixth lowest energy costs in the nation.
?Renewable energy is also a key economic development tool, helping attract major technology companies while keeping costs low for existing industries,? Reynolds said. ?Iowa?s dominance in the renewable energy sector is a selling point and distinguishes us from other industrialized states competing for projects.?
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture reiterated the fact that Iowa has seen tremendous benefits from the expansion of the wind energy industry.
?We appreciate Alliant Energy continuing to invest in wind and other renewable energy sources to power our state,? Northey said.
In 2016, the company received approval for a similar expansion. The two projects combined would represent a $1.8 billion investment, and add up to 1,000 megawatts of new wind generation in Iowa. The wind generation would create enough energy to power 430,00 Iowa homes a year.
By 2020, the company expects for more than one-third of Iowa to be powered by wind energy.
