More electric capacity good for Iowa’s growth

I attended Clean Line Energy's open house Monday in Central City to learn more about a proposed transmission line that would move wind energy from Western Iowa to Central Illinois. I am impressed with how the company is reaching out to gather input.

This project is a great opportunity for Iowa from an economic development perspective. The wind energy industry came to a screeching halt last year with not one wind farm being developed in Iowa because the transmission grid is at capacity.

More than 250 companies in 80 Iowa counties are in the wind energy component supply chain. New wind farm installations will provide business opportunities and keep Iowans working.

We feed and power the world with corn and now could have the opportunity to deliver our excess wind energy around the country.

In order to keep and grow Iowa's manufacturing base that supplies the wind industry, we must expand the grid.

You can look at the project on the company's website at www.rock

islandcleanline.com.

The Rock Island Clean Line will give us the chance to show the world Iowa's innovative spirit and our commitment to producing clean, renewable energy.

George Kanz

Cedar Rapids