MASON CITY – Senator Amanda Ragan (D) says wind energy is a success story in Iowa.
According to a newsletter she sent this week:
Innovative energy has been a hallmark of the Iowa economy in recent years. Geography, natural resources and a strong agricultural heritage have positioned us for success in the industry. The Legislature actively supports the growth of Iowa’s homegrown energy options.
Wind energy is one such success story. Iowa’s winds have created jobs, grown business and manufacturing, added to farm income and boosted local economies.
Incentives have made Iowa home to manufacturers and other companies that maintain, repair and provide supplies for wind energy systems. More than 215 Iowa businesses are connected to the wind industry, employing more than 6,000 Iowans.
In 2015, Iowa produced more than 31 percent of our electricity from wind. That’s a larger share than any other state. Iowa produces enough wind energy to power more than 1.5 million homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
We have encouraged the development of large-scale wind farms, as well as smaller, locally owned wind energy systems. We’ve also made it easier and more affordable to install small wind systems to power homes, businesses and farms.
The environmental benefits of Iowa wind energy are also substantial. By turning to wind, we remove the equivalent of more than 1.3 million cars worth of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and save more than 3.5 billion gallons of water annually.
Iowa is well positioned to continue as a leader in the wind industry. We’re located in the middle of the nation’s largest wind resources. Additionally, our community colleges are training workers for a variety of jobs that keep the industry booming.
MidAmerican Energy is also planning to build $3.6 billion wind turbine operation that will generate up to 2,000 MW of electricity through 1,000 turbines, enough energy to power 800,000 homes. Alliant Energy plans to spend $1 billion over five years to add 500 MW to a wind farm in Franklin County—enough to power 215,000 households—and possibly more in other parts of the state.
I was honored to receive the Legislative Friend of Housing Award. It recognizes contributions to advancing affordable housing in Iowa by actively participating in affordable housing legislation, developing strong grass roots initiatives and making improving lives through affordable housing an integral part of legislative work. I’m pictured here with Ruth Randleman of the Iowa Finance Authority board and Dave Jamison, executive director of the Iowa Finance Authority.
The main issue now is utilizing the energy herein Iowa instead of transmitting it away to faraway places like Florida or Texas. The local sustainable model dictates each region cares for itself and only imports if a region is barren and has none of its own resources. However another school of thought says humans either make do in that region or vacate if it is unlivable by its own resources and devices. The Earthship model allows self sufficient living in the harshest and remotest of climates. Educators and government officials should be checking into its principles and features. I’d say contractors but we all know most are dumb rednecks who stick build the established way.
check the Facts, Simon Conway on WHO radio interviewed Mid America’s CEO and he admitted that Wind power would not be profitable unless it was subsidised and that is the reason they are investing so much into it. The business can’t stand on it’s own without help, it is not worth it, short term or long term.
Another lie by Ragan. If wind wasn’t subsidized it would fail and be gone. We pay taxes to keep it solvent. It is the reason our electric bills go up and up.
Just like the Farmers. Half of them would be broke and bankrupt if it wasn’t for the taxpayers subsidizing them.
My sentiments exactly. It never stops amazing me hearing farmers bitching about green technology subsidies, which after all helps offset front loaded R&D-cost for new technology and thus bring down actual cost of future wind and solar farms, while happily accepting billions of dollars worth of tax subsidized crop insurance!
And you subsidized the price mid east oil with the payment of American Blood and treasure.
What? You make no sense.
Of course he makes no sense to you. It would take at least averages intelligence on your part to comprehend that the only reason us tax payers spend billions to fund the US Navy 5th fleet is to secure the supply line of middle Eastern oil. This oil is consumed all over the world so were effectively subsidizing foreign oil consumption as well, and the numbers are huge – were talking about dollars on the gallon.
You are just as Stupid as he is.
“You are just as Stupid as he is.”
Thank you for taking the time to respond, even though you had nothing to add on the subject matter. I do appreciate when my antagonists resort to general insults, rather than outright admitting defeat, as there is a certain grace to the later that somewhat ruins the fun for me.
Someone like you was defeated before they ever started. Loser.
Had the decision been left to Republicans this NEVER would have happened. NEVER FORGET this fact when you are in voting booth.
Had you been a responsible person, things would have been different in your life too. How do you say it….Karma?
That’s right. Vote Republican and get rid of the socialist who spend all our tax money.
Chuck Grassley touts that he is the father of the wind turbine industry, Peter. Last I checked, Grassley is the big R. Dumbass