Iowa's wind power supply chain comprises 80 Iowa companies with more than 2,300 employees in manufacturing alone; strong regulatory and tax policies are key to growing wind industry, new report says

Rachel Carter

DES MOINES, Iowa , November 30, 2010 (press release) – The Environmental Law and Policy Center has released a new study of Iowa’s wind energy supply chain. According to the study, Iowa’s wind power supply chain comprises 80 Iowa companies with a total of over 2,300 employees in manufacturing alone.  The state ranks second nationally in total wind energy generation. With local manufacturers building everything from huge turbine blades to small electrical components, and service firms providing maintenance, legal, marketing and other support to the industry, wind power means business for Iowa.

“Wind energy creates good jobs and business growth across Iowa and across different sectors,” said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Smart policies can bring more wind businesses to Iowa – that’s good for both economic growth and better environmental quality.”

The report states that a commitment to business development combined with tax incentives, a skilled workforce and a central location have helped make Iowa a leader in the wind industry.

The report highlights supply chain companies across the state, from locally owned small businesses to seven international manufacturing companies. In addition to the 80 existing supply chain companies, the study identified more than 30 additional Iowa companies that could supply the wind industry if demand increased.

The report notes that strong regulatory and tax policies are key to growing any industry, and the wind industry is no exception. The proposed strong federal renewable energy standard would help grow Iowa’s economy by increasing Iowa’s export opportunities for both wind power and manufactured wind turbine components and professional services.

To download a copy of the report, visit www.elpc.org/iowawind.

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