Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Wind energy advocates took over the Statehouse Wednesday to push their agenda. The annual Wind Energy Day is put together by the Iowa Wind Energy Association.

This session the Association is asking legislators to consider several new laws that would benefit the industry. One of those laws would give individual and corporate income tax credits to small scale residential, commercial and agricultural wind energy systems. Another would allow schools to use funds to repair wind turbines.

Governor Branstad spoke at the event saying he is working with other Midwest governors to allow better transportation of turbine parts across state lines.

The Governor also touted the positive effects wind energy has had on Iowa. “Perhaps the most important impact that wind has had on our state is the high quality good paying jobs it’s helped us attract, as well as being a source of rental income for our farmers,” he said.

According to Branstad the industry has created approximately 7,000 jobs in Iowa.