WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Study shows Iowa wind production growing
Associated Press - March 3, 2010 12:14 PM ET
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A new study shows wind energy production in Iowa is continuing to grow and now accounts for up to 20 percent of the state's electricity.
At the same time, the study released Wednesday says electrical costs to consumers in Iowa have remained stable and are among the lowest in the nation.
Authors of the study say it debunks arguments that using alternative energy and other steps to combat climate change are too expensive.
David Osterberg, a researcher with the Iowa Policy Project and 1 of the study's authors, says it shows alternative energy can help control utility costs.
The study found that wind energy produces 3,670 megawatts of electricity in the state. If that power were used solely within Iowa, it would be enough to power 940,000 homes, or about three-quarters of the state's homes.
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