Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt believes wind and solar energy are critical to economic development in Iowa. But she also wants to make sure landowners who sign contracts for wind projects aren’t left twisting in the wind.
Former Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who signed a 1983 law requiring utilities to produce a certain amount of their energy from renewable sources, said policymakers should be pursuing an "all of the above" approach to energy production, which includes fossil fuels and renewable sources.
REGEN Fiber, owned by Alliant Energy subsidiary Travero, hosted a grand opening Wednesday to explain the process for recycling decomissioned wind turbine blades. The plant, which cost more than $10 million and employs eight people, is expected to start processing materials next week.
A company is proposing that tips of its turbine blades reach 656 feet.
Over the past few decades, green energy projects have surged in Iowa. And bolstered by federal funding, the future of clean energy looks brighter than ever in the Hawkeye State. But it needs more workers. That’s where registered apprenticeship programs and their “earn while you learn” models come into play.
Alliant increased its wind energy production by 25 percent from 2021 levels, which boosted its overall percentage of renewable energy served to retail customers to about 53 percent in the state.
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids built a wind turbine on its campus in 2012. But since May of this year, the turbine has been locked in place. Why is that? And what are the college’s plans for the turbine?
The Gazette spoke with MISO about how the power grid may fare amid summer heat, increasing renewable energy and consumer demands.
Also, new website aims to connect veterans with jobs in Iowa
Traditionally, decommissioned turbine blades have been sent to landfills. But in recent years, recycling the often hundred-plus-foot-long blades has become a new, more sustainable disposal method among companies in Iowa and the Midwest.
As much as 60% of the region’s energy could come from wind and solar — which has a lower energy output than the non-renewables being retired.
A petition by Tama County Against Turbines placed the measure on the ballot to increase the number of supervisors from three to five.
The fire department described the fire as “unique and challenging,” with the additional factors of the wind turbine falling apart overhead and fiery falling debris.
Iowa generates more than half of its electricity with wind, but clean energy advocates say the state and nation can do even more
As Iowa utility companies seek to make solar power a bigger part of the energy mix — spurred by the need to limit greenhouse gases to reduce the impacts of climate change — proposed solar installations have grown in size and number, causing more concerns from neighbors.
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