A report released by the American Wind Energy Association predicts Iowa could produce 40-percent of its energy needs from wind power within five years. Mike Prior, with the Iowa Wind Energy Association, says the projection is based on the current rate of development.
PTC refers to production tax credits. The federal incentive program for wind farms expired at the end of last year. Industry analysts have also suggested Iowa could eventually sell its wind-generated electricity to other states. Beth Conley, with Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners, is working to make that concept a reality.
The report is based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy. Iowa was the top state in the country in 2014, generating 28 percent of its electricity by wind. Nationally, that figure is just 4.5 percent.
