Wind energy needs more support

In the Sunday edition of The Gazette, a story about wind energy included a quote that was jarring for those of us who have watched the industry’s rapid growth in Iowa.

“Iowa is essentially closed for business when it comes to wind development,” said Jeff Danielson, a former state lawmaker and vice president for advocacy for Clean Grid Alliance, a group promoting clean energy.

The story, written by Dan Gearino and Anika Jane Beamer of Inside Climate News, mostly chronicled the growth of local opposition to wind farms. Opponents have argued that turbines are a blight on the countryside, pose human health risks, harm wildlife, and make other claims, some anchored in misinformation about wind power.

Politics, of course, also plays into opposition. Wind energy has become a symbol of Democratic concerns about climate change, while Republicans promote expanded use of traditional fossil fuels.

“It’s not even really an adult conversation anymore,” Danielson said.

At the same time, the Trump administration has been pulling out all the stops to delay and stop wind energy development. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act contained a phase-out of wind production tax credits. Planned wind projects must be under construction by July 4 and completed by the end of 2027 to qualify for credits.

So, new wind farms will be rare in Iowa and elsewhere. We urged our congressional delegation, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, known as the “father of wind energy” for his longtime support of credits, to stand up to the president and advocate for an essential homegrown Iowa industry.

Instead, they went along with the president’s anti-wind agenda.

That’s a big disappointment. It wasn’t long ago that Iowa and its leaders were proud of Iowa’s wind energy industry. They often pointed out that more than 60 percent of Iowa’s electricity is generated by wind turbines rising above the landscape.

That’s the most of any state in the country, and it has attracted economic development projects from companies seeking to operate on green energy. It’s been a key asset in attracting investment in both urban and rural areas.

There is still time for our elected leaders to push back on the headwinds now facing the industry. From Congress to the Statehouse to county courthouses, pro-win energy policies can be revived and created.

Iowa’s wind industry should not be closed for business when it comes to expansion. Our leaders ought to have adult conversations. Are we going to set a course for wind energy’s long-term success or failure? To us, the answer seems obvious.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com