The third quarter report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) shows Iowa upped its lead in the amount of power produced by wind turbines. Governor Terrry Branstad made the announcement in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol.

 

The AWEA report says Iowa is the first state to produce 30 percent or more of its electricity from wind. Kansas is second behind Iowa, followed by South Dakota, with both producing more than 25 percent of their state’s electricity with wind. Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds says the approval of and ongoing construction of new wind farms could soon push Iowa’s production higher.

 

AWEA Board Chair Chris Brown says the power produced by wind has helped Iowa lure businesses like Google and Microsoft to the state.  And he says farmers are benefiting from rental payments made for the land where wind turbines are built.