Press Release Archive
Monday, May 4, 2009
Governor Culver Promotes Iowa’s Booming Wind Industry At World’s Largest Wind Industry Event
Media Availability Following Meeting with Midwest Governors Tuesday
DES MOINES – On the heels of President Barack Obama’s recent visit to the State of Iowa that highlighted Iowa’s transformation into one of the nation’s leaders in wind energy, state economic development leaders led by Governor Chet Culver are set to participate in the annual American Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER 2009 Conference & Exhibition in Chicago from May 4th-7th.
“Iowa is proving that an energy independent future is within our reach. And with more than 2300 green-collar jobs created through wind energy, creating new jobs in the green economy will be key to our future successes” said Governor Culver. “With the passing of recent legislation designed to expand Iowa’s wind energy industry, Iowa continues to chart its own course toward energy independence. By doing so, we’ll continue to create jobs in every part of the state, and strengthen our role as a national leader in both the business and the practice of energy production.”
On Tuesday, May 5th, Governor Culver will visit the Iowa exhibition and participate in a roundtable discussion on the future of wind energy with the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition, of which, he is a founding member. Along with the Governors of Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan, the Coalition works to advance wind energy production in key states and the nation. A media availability with the Coalition members will be held following the meeting.
The media availability information is as follows:
| WHO: | The Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of Iowa The Honorable Jim Doyle, Governor of Wisconsin The Honorable Jennifer Granholm, Governor of Michigan The Honorable Ted Strickland, Governor of Ohio The Honorable Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission AWEA CEO Denise Bode (moderator) |
| WHERE: | Room N426, McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, Illinois Toll-free call-in number: 1-866-412-1090; #97428151 |
| WHEN: | Tuesday, May 5: 11:15AM-12:00PM CST following the Opening Session and Governors’ Roundtable |
Nine major wind energy manufacturers have located or plan to locate or expand their wind manufacturing operations in Iowa – Acciona in West Branch, Siemens USA in Fort Madison, Clipper Wind in Cedar Rapids, NextEra Energy Resources in Story City, Goian North America in Ankeny, Heartland Energy Solutions in Mount Ayr, John Deere Wind in Johnston and TPI Components and Trinity Industries in Newton.
Iowa is number one in the nation in wind generation as percentage of total generation, with over 7% of its total electricity generated by wind power facilities. In addition with 2,883 MW installed, Iowa recently surpassed California (2,517 MW) for the No. 2 position in wind power generating capacity. The state’s strong manufacturing base, excellent transportation infrastructure and skilled workforce have made it attractive to manufacturers. In addition, Governor Culver’s signature $100 million renewable energy program -- the Iowa Power Fund – and the new Office of Energy Independence promote the state’s burgeoning wind industry and provide grants to companies and researchers in Iowa who are fostering renewable energy within the state.
WINDPOWER 2009 convenes more than 17,000 wind industry leaders, government officials, and business executives and over 1,200 exhibitors will convene at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center for the world’s largest annual wind energy industry event. The exhibition will be an impressive display with exhibitors from around the world including the State of Iowa.
For more information about WINDPOWER 2009, see www.windpowerexpo.org.