Iowa Utility Plans to Expand Electricity Generated by Wind in State by 1,050 MW

ST. PAUL, Minn.—MidAmerican Energy Co. has announced plans to expand its use of wind energy in Iowa by up to 1,050 megawatts by 2016.

The $1.9 billion investment, which would add up to 656 wind turbines to the Iowa landscape, is expected to increase the portion of electricity generated by wind power in the state to 30 percent.

Nathaniel Baer, energy program director for the Iowa Environmental Council, told BNA May 9 that the state currently gets about 25 percent of the electricity generated in the state from wind power.

Tina Potthoff, spokeswoman for MidAmerican, said the Des Moines-based utility ...