A FUTURE IN THE WIND

Wind energy can power Iowa's economic future

Tom Kiernan, June 17, 2015 (Des Moines Register)

“…[According to the Department of Energy] the American wind industry can rapidly expand over the next two decades, comprising one-fifth of the domestic electricity market by 2030…Unfortunately, federal policymakers are putting this future in jeopardy. Congress has failed to renew the federal Production Tax Credit, which provides a key incentive for wind energy production. Lawmakers must correct course immediately…Nationally, the sector supports some 73,000 jobs…And as wind has created more jobs, it's also become more affordable. The price of wind energy has fallen by over half since 2010…Growth of this kind can re-energize entire communities. The wind energy tax revenues for state and municipal governments can total millions of dollars per year. Wind industry growth also brings in huge private investments…Family farmers and ranchers benefit immensely from wind energy as well…The DOE report projects that improved air quality from substituting wind energy for fossil fuels could prevent 22,000 premature deaths by mid-century…” click here for more

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