Iowa is the first state in the country to consistently obtain more than one-third of its electricity from wind generation, wind energy promoters and Iowa officials said last week. In Iowa, wind power supplies more than 35 percent of the state’s electricity, said Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. That puts the percentage of wind energy far in front of any other state and supports 7,000 jobs, he said. Wind energy is responsible for over $12 billion of investments in the state, which powers Iowa’s economy and benefits Iowa families, Branstad said.

The wind industry leaders also noted that the wind-generating farms provide economic development in rural Iowa, help farmers offset low commodity prices and add to the tax base.