Branstad to host meeting on wind energy transmission

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday that further growth in Iowa's wind-energy industry will figure heavily in his job-creation goals over the next five years.

Branstad told attendees at the American Wind Energy Association's wind power supply chain workshop that up to 5,000 Iowa jobs already are supported by manufacturing and wind power development businesses. Those businesses currently operate in 56 of Iowa's 99 counties.

“We cannot overlook the impact of the wind industry on economic development and jobs in Iowa,” said Branstad. The governor noted he planned to discuss wind-energy opportunities with Chinese officials during his upcoming 10-day trade mission.

Branstad told the gathering that he supports congressional approval of a long-term extension of the wind energy production tax credit. He also wants to lead regional discussions aimed at finding ways to “pay for the very expensive cost” of transmission lines and facilities.

To that end, Branstad announced that he will co-host the Midwestern Governors Association meeting on transmission collaboration on Thursday and Friday in Des Moines. The meeting will highlight the successes the Midwest has had in transmission planning and development in the region, he said.

“I am pleased the MGA is in Des Moines to showcase Iowa's success in advancing energy transmission,” said Branstad, who serves as the association's vice chairman. “Throughout the Midwest, governors are continuing to make significant progress in transmission development, which is important for future economic growth and producing low-cost and renewable wind energy.”

He said attendees will include state staff, electric utility and transmission companies, state utility commissioners and other industry stakeholders. In addition to learning of best practices of building transmission lines, participants will be discussing state regulatory planning issues, long-term transmission goals, regional planning and transmission's role in economic development.

“Wind generation should be part of our national energy policy,” Branstad said.

The governor said the wind industry has helped revitalized rural areas and provided landowners with a significant new revenue source from lease payments of up to $120,000 over a 20-year period for each turbine installed.

Branstad noted that recent polls showed that more than 80 percent of Iowans held a favorable view of wind energy, adding “I've never gotten 80 percent of the vote, so I appreciate how significant those numbers are.”