Iowa’s Alternative Energy Production law is the earliest instance of an RPS-type policy in the U.S. The law, passed in 1983, is a capacity-based standard requiring investor-owned utilities to purchase a shared total of 105 MW (averaged) of capacity each year from renewable energy generators.
The Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) was created by the Iowa Legislature in 1996 (1997 Iowa Code: Section 476.46) to promote the development of renewable energy production facilities in the state. The Energy Center provides loan funds equal to 50% of the total financed cost of a project (up to $250,000) at 0% interest.
For example, Akron-Westfield School District worked with the Iowa Energy Center’s Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) and the DNR Energy Bank Program to install its 600kW wind turbine. Of the $705,000 needed to purchase and install the turbine, the Energy Bank Program provided $455,000 in low interest loans and the AERLP provided $250,000 at zero interest, effectively saving the district $72,000 in interest.
Iowa is home to four major wind farms, with a fifth currently in development. They include:
* 259 turbines, Storm Lake
* 55 turbines, Clear Lake
* 89 turbines, Joice (Top of Iowa)
* 67 turbines, in development, Worth County (Top of Iowa II)
* 148 turbines, Garner
* 29 turbines, in development, Spirit Lake
Spirit Lake School.
MidAmerican Energy Co. to build the largest land-based wind project in the world in northwest or north-central Iowa by 2006. Iowa is the 10th windiest state in the nation, but is the third largest in producing wind energy.
Clipper to build 2.5 megawatt Liberty wind turbines in Iowa.
Liberty has a 99 meter rotor.
Wind Energy Manual
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J.P.Sayler and Associates – Des Moines