Iowa is more than corn. It produces most of its electricity from the wind.

Green Junction

                The state of Iowa produces most of its electricity from the wind. In 2023, 64% of the state’s electricity was generated from wind turbines. Iowa is a leader in clean energy with 84% of its electricity sourced from renewable energy and expectations for carbon-free electricity by 2035. Wind energy is not only much cleaner than coal, oil or gas, it is less expensive and provides economic benefits for farmers, where, in Iowa, “the land must have a low corn suitability ratio to install wind turbines.” 

                Another state that benefits from wind turbines is Texas, which generates 29% of its electricity from wind. California relies on wind for about 11% of its electricity and obtains 14% from solar installations.  Other Midwestern states vary in the amount of electricity production from renewables. Minnesota’s electricity is 40% sourced from renewables, Illinois obtains 21% from renewables; Indiana and Wisconsin obtain about 12% of their electricity from renewable, clean resources. 

                The conversion to clean energy in Iowa and Minnesota is linked to legislators who advocated for renewable energy programs. In Iowa, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley helped create the Wind Energy Incentives Act in the early 1990s, which he stated “helped catalyze Iowa’s leadership in renewable energy development.” In Minnesota, renewables have increased over 60% over the past decades, initiated by the 2007 Next Generation Energy Act. States with slower progress have histories of legislators who either discouraged or dismissed the development of renewables. 

A CBS News article in June 2024 explained, “For struggling farmers, wind turbines have made the difference between keeping the family farm and losing it as agriculture becomes more unstable due to climate change. Each turbine takes up less than an acre, leaving plenty of farmable land left.” Also, “The reduction in carbon emissions from current U.S. wind energy production is equivalent to taking 73 million cars off the road, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.” Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is critical for addressing climate change and legislators have very influential roles. 

Julie Peller, Ph.D., is an environmental chemist (Professor of Chemistry at Valparaiso University ). She has been writing a weekly column called The Green Junction for the past seven years and is helping to move the call of Laudato Si to action forward. Her Research Interests are advanced oxidation for aqueous solutions, water quality analyses, emerging contaminants, air quality analyses, Lake Michigan shoreline challenges (Cladophora, water, and sediment contaminants), and student and citizen participation in environmental work.