KMEG 14, IA
11-08-07
Iowa Becoming Leader in Alternate Energy
Iowa is becoming a leader in the development of alternative energy sources
including Wind Energy.
The Iowa State University extension in Woodbury County held a conference
today to talk about what's happening in the industry. Organizers of the
conference say there is a growing interest in alternative energy sources, sparked
by rising oil prices and the development of large wind farms in northwest Iowa.
"The first wind farms were built in Iowa in 1999 and for the past 8 years. There
have been approximately 975 megawatts, or about 1000 turbines built. We
expect that number to double in the next 12 to 18 months," says Bill Haman,
Industrial Program Manager of the Iowa Energy Center.
Other topics included financing options for wind turbines as well as education
and training needed to work on the turbines.