Obama visit to shine light on Iowa energy successes

DES MOINES - President Barack Obama's first visit to Iowa as president will shine a bright light on the state's progress in developing a

clean energy economy.

"If you look at us, Iowa is No. 2 in wind energy production, a leader in biofuels and a leader in energy efficiency polices. All the pieces of the clean energy puzzle are happening here," said Nathaniel Baer of the Iowa Environmental Council. "A lot of states are moving on pieces of this, but you can come to Iowa and see it all happening."

Iowa Clean Energy FactsWind: Iowa ranks second nationally in current wind generation output with nearly 2,800 megawatts installed. There are 2,300 wind energy-related jobs in Iowa.Biofuels: Iowa has 38 ethanol refineries in operation with an annual capacity of $3 billion gallons, according the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Iowa leads the nation in biofuels output accounting for 26 percent of U.S. ethanol and 12 percent of biodiesel production capacity. As of March, the Iowa Department of economic Development report the state has 2,058 ethanol jobs and 302 biodiesel jobs.Source: Governor's Office

Wind: Iowa ranks second nationally in current wind generation output with nearly 2,800 megawatts installed. There are 2,300 wind energy-related jobs in Iowa.

Biofuels: Iowa has 38 ethanol refineries in operation with an annual capacity of $3 billion gallons, according the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA). Iowa leads the nation in biofuels output accounting for 26 percent of U.S. ethanol and 12 percent of biodiesel production capacity. As of March, the Iowa Department of economic Development report the state has 2,058 ethanol jobs and 302 biodiesel jobs.

Source: Governor's Office

Obama will make an Earth Day visit to Trinity Tower Structures in Newton where towers for wind turbines are being built. That makes it a natural choice for a visit for a president who also is pushing an economic recovery agenda, according to Rep. Paul Bell, D-Newton.

"Two years ago the community lost about 1,000 jobs. Slowly, but surely, we're putting people back to work," he said. Many of the employees of Trinity and those at TPI, which makes wind turbine blades, are former Maytag employees, he said.

Obama will meet some of those former Maytag employees who have started over their careers in an emerging manufacturing field.

The growth in renewable energy hasn't been by accident, according to House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, who said legislative policies over the past few years have lead to the creation of more than 2,000 green collar jobs. Just this week, the House approved legislation designed to expand wind energy production and renewable energy tax credits, create wind innovation zones, and encourage more renewable energy research in Iowa.

Rep. Chuck Soderberg, R-Le Mars, agrees Obama's visit spotlights Iowa's leadership in developing renewable energy and hopes the president addresses the need to improve the electric transmission grid so wind energy produce here can be sold to markets in Chicago and elsewhere.

Iowa is a natural place to start when talking about investing in the grid, Gov. Chet Culver said. "This whole region of the country could contribute to a more secure energy future if we can start exporting that wind power."

Obama will land in Des Moines before touring the Trinity plant, housed in a former Maytag building, and speaking to an invitation-only crowd. A spokeswoman said many of the attendees will be Trinity employees.