Statewide, Iowa — A new report shows Iowa led the nation in the amount of wind power that came online during April, May and June.
Nearly 60 percent of the electricity being generated in Iowa comes from wind turbines and solar installations. Jeff Danielson is a vice president of the Clean Grid Alliance.
Iowa has a trifecta when it comes to so-called clean energy, according to Danielson.
According to the Clean Grid Alliance, Iowa ranks third in the nation for its capacity to store renewable energy in battery facilities. There’s currently some push back on proposed wind farms near Algona, Shenandoah and Sioux City. MidAmerican has said its proposed wind farm in Woodbury County won’t move forward if county supervisors update an ordinance requiring more space between wind turbines and homes. Danielson says that resistance isn’t unexpected, as property owner often have strong opinions about what is being built around them.
Landowners who agree to have a turbine on their property, as part of a company’s larger wind farm project, are paid a yearly stipend. Yearly payments are also part of large scale solar installations.
That differs from negotiations for the proposed carbon capture pipelines, which involve a one-time payment for property easements. During American Clean Power Week Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation about solar power. According to the industry, solar panel related investment last year topped 187-million dollars.
