MidAmerican Energy Unveils Wind Expansion Plan (540 MW, Iowa)

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48242

MidAmerican Energy is planning a new wind project that will add up to another 540 megawatts (MW) of wind energy in Iowa, subject to Iowa Utilities Board approval.

"In addition to the environmental benefit of adding new wind energy production in Iowa, customers of MidAmerican Energy will continue to benefit from electric rate stability," said Greg Abel, president of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. "The last electric rate increase MidAmerican Energy customers experienced was in 1995, and we propose adding the new wind energy while maintaining electric rate stability until 2014, which is nearly 20 years of electric rate stability for MidAmerican Energy customers."

MidAmerican Energy owns and operates 323 wind turbines at three sites in northwest, north central and west central Iowa. The wind projects have the capacity to generate 459.5 MW of electricity, enough to power approximately 144,000 homes. When MidAmerican Energy completes a 123-megawatt wind project in Pocahontas County later this year, Iowa will have more than 1,000 megawatts of wind energy.

"Iowa has become a national leader in wind energy not through mandates, but by offering incentives and utilizing a cooperative approach involving utilities, lawmakers, regulators, equipment manufacturers and even schools," said Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. "This is one more major voluntary project that will help Iowa maintain its leadership position on renewable energy."

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[DU9598]

1. Iowa in 2012

It is possible that we will be energy independent by then ... it is great to see all of the innovation coming from the Hawkeye state. We will not only help feed the world, but also power the world.

[jpak]

3. Add "fence row" PV arrays, closed loop ethanol plants, underground compressed air

energy storage and organic agriculture to that list and Iowa will feed and power the world...

:hi:

[liberal N proud]

2. Out of the corn fields of Iowa sprout the towers supporting the windmills

Old Iowa:




New Iowa

[Frustratedlady]

4. Good for Iowa

Doesn't take up that much space, either. I'm glad to see they are embracing Mother Nature in their search for renewable energy. Hopefully, Alliant Energy will follow suit.