Braley Tours Wind Farm in Mitchell County

Discusses Impact of Wind Energy on Iowa’s Economy
 

Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) toured the Pioneer Prairie/Prairie Star Wind Farm in Mitchell County, Iowa. While there, he had the opportunity to climb to the top of a wind turbine, and discuss the importance of the wind industry on Iowa’s economy.

“Investing in wind is investing in jobs,” Braley said. “Last year, wind power supported over 4,000 jobs in Iowa and that number is only expected to grow. Iowa’s continued emphasis on wind has also made it a leader in the country for manufacturing items, such as wind turbines and blades.”
 
“It is important that we extend the production tax credit for wind to create certainty in the market and encourage investments in wind energy. There is room for wind capacity to grow and be part of a comprehensive national energy strategy. I am proud to see Iowa continue to be a leader in clean energy that’s produced in America.”
 
Iowa is home to several wind manufacturing companies, representing thousands of clean energy jobs and an investment of over $250 million dollars in the state.  Over the last decade, Iowa has lost 43,000 manufacturing jobs, but investment in wind energy can help reverse this trend.  Wind energy plants create about 600 full-time jobs on site and 1,100 jobs through indirect manufacturing and logistics support for every 1,000 megawatts installed.
 
Congressman Braley has previously introduced legislation that would extend tax credits for developers of wind energy projects. The current wind production tax credit is set to expire on December 31, 2012.