Expand transmission capacity to grow our wind energy industry, economy

By Ben Rogers

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Manufacturing in Iowa that provides high-paying jobs with good benefits is critical to the long-term health of our state's economy. However, those industries have been in decline over the past 10 years and, unfortunately, Eastern Iowa hasn't been immune to that trend.

However, wind energy production has the potential to move Iowa toward a better future.

With the increase in wind farms, our strong business climate, a skilled work force and good transportation infrastructure, Iowa has become a magnet for wind energy manufacturing. In 2008, 47 percent of all wind turbines manufactured in the United States were made within 500 miles of central Iowa. Iowa has 200 companies that supply its wind industry - producing and repairing everything from towers and blades, to mapping data and planning operations.

One of the state's major wind industry companies, Clipper Windpower, located its manufacturing and assembly facility for land-based wind turbines in Cedar Rapids. With wind-producing neighbors such as Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Illinois, Iowa is truly at the center of the “Wind Belt.” Because Clipper wanted to be situated at the center of wind energy development, it made a huge investment in its plant here and provided many good jobs.

But our current transmission lines are essentially full and slowing the growth of the wind industry. Wind farms in Iowa are frequently shut down as a result of overloaded transmission lines. Although Iowa is the second-largest U.S. producer of wind energy, there has been a major reduction in new construction of wind farms over the past year.

Environmental Law and Policy Center figures verify the dramatic drop. In 2008 and 2009, a combined 2,500 megawatts of capacity were created through the construction of new wind farms. In 2010, there was no growth in wind power capacity - no new wind farm placed into commercial operation. This reduction hurt wind manufacturers across the state, including Clipper, which was forced to lay off nearly a quarter of its work force.

The construction of even one high-voltage direct current (DC) transmission line could more than double Iowa's current electricity-generating capacity and jump-start new wind farm construction. It would enable wind energy to be efficiently transported to the east, creating thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs.

Providing clean, renewable energy to America has created new economic benefits for our state. But if transmission capacity limitations are solved, the economic gains Iowa has seen in recent years may be enjoyed by other states.

Ben Rogers is a member of the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Comments: benrogers@gmail.com