Renewable Energy Capital of America

Continuing the push for Iowa as an ideal place to locate business, Governor Chet Culver announced that Iowa was the "renewable energy capital of America". Playing off the attention Iowa gets for political caucusing Culver encouraged campaign staff and media to rethink what they knew about Iowa.

Culver went on to list some of the statistics to back up the renewable energy claim:

• Iowa ranks #1 in ethanol production, #2 in biodiesel production and #3 in wind energy production
• In 2006, Iowa alone accounted for over 30 percent of U.S. ethanol production and 25 percent of U.S. biodiesel production.
• Iowa is over 1,000 wind turbines which create almost 1,000 megawatts of energy, generating enough power to service 250,000 homes.
• The $500 million Iowa Values Fund and the new $100 million renewable energy research and development initiative called the Iowa Power Fund offer businesses the tools and financial resources they need to be successful. Administered through our state Department of Economic Development, these funds provide tax credits, incentives, loans and regulatory assistance to foster business development and job creation.

Check out the complete press release here