WIND IN IOWA’S STRAW POLL

Iowa Straw Poll to shine spotlight on the economic power of wind; Wind now generates 20 percent of Iowa's electricity
August 10, 2011 (American Wind Energy Association)

"As the nation's eyes turn to the Hawkeye State for this weekend's Iowa Straw Poll in the Republican presidential race, they will catch a glimpse of what wind power has already done for Iowans—from providing 20 percent of the state's electricity to creating a new manufacturing sector—and what wind power can do for America…

"…[S]ince adopting the first renewable electricity standard in 1983…these people who know wind power the best are big fans…A full 81 percent of Iowa voters believe that the growth of the wind industry has been good for Iowa's economy…[and] Iowa voters chose wind, by a 3-to-1 margin, as their preferred energy source to power their state…"

Iowa is a giant in the wind world (click to enlarge)

"…[O]ver 200 wind-related businesses now operate in 56 Iowa counties adding over $5 billion to the Iowa economy…In 2010 alone, wind farm owners paid $16.5 million in property taxes and an additional $11 million in land lease payments to property owners…

"…Iowa illustrates for the rest of America the breadth of economic benefits from wind: manufacturing activity, tax revenue for rural areas that often need it most, and steady revenue streams for farmers, who operate in a notoriously high-risk business environment…"