Clean Energy Solutions

“The power of the future will come from the Midwest. Whether it is clean or dirty power is up to us.”
- Community Energy Solutions

The Midwest is uniquely positioned to supply growing energy markets, with easy access to energy resources and close location to major developing markets. With enormous wind and biomass potential that power could and should be renewable and clean. In 2002, just over 1/10^th of one percent of the potential wind capacity in the Midwest was developed (1). Developing those resources could provide the start of a clean and renewable power future. Wind composes around 4.3% of our electricity in Iowa (2) and under ½ a percent nationwide (3). We are lagging far behind Europe, led by Germany and

Spain

(6 and 8% respectively), which has two-thirds of the world’s installed wind capacity (4). Immense biomass resources are available to balance energy production at peak demand and when the wind isn’t blowing. Oat hulls, switchgrass, poplars, and corn stalks are being used and developed for energy across the Midwest.

Providing the electric needs of the future through clean, renewable energy makes economic and social sense for the Midwest. Instead of paying to import dirty coal from Wyoming, and then paying for the health effects of burning that coal, we could be reaping the benefits of local energy sources and clean, innovative industry. Wind power provides far more economic benefits to local communities than coal or other non-renewables (5).

Which would you prefer?

1)       Midwest Wind Development Plan http://www.windonthewires.org/documents/2002_Midwest_Wind_Development_Plan_060102.pdf
2)       Iowa Renewable Resource Assessment. http://www.iowadnr.com/energy/renewable/files/05rra.pdf
3)       Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html
4)       Earth Policy Institute. http://www.earth-policy.org/Indicators/Wind/2006.htm
5)       Iowa Policy Project. http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/2002-2004_reports_press_releases/020305-energy.pdf, http://www.iowapolicyproject.org/2002-2004_reports_press_releases/031017-wind.pdf