Iowa -- The Progressive State?

I am not a native Massasoit. I was born abroad, but raised in the Midwest, Iowa to be specific. This usually throws people for a loop. The typical image of an Iowan is one of a farm hick (BTW, it's corn, not potatoes). I will admit, in my youth small town life frustrated me as did my Iowa roots. As I hit adolescence my #1 goal was to leave my home state and explore the larger, more progressive world beyond the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

But I recently returned to Iowa for a visit and left feeling that perhaps I sold my home state short. The state is currently a leader in renewable energy, especially wind power, second only to Texas in production. As a self proclaimed "greenie" this makes me proud, if only by some small connection. President Obama noted this accomplishment by speaking in Newton, Iowa at a wind turbine plant on Earth Day.

The development of wind power has succeeded in Iowa for several reasons.

1. Iowa was the first state to develop portfolio standards for renewable energy. This required the state's investor-owned utilities to purchase electricity from renewable energy projects. Initially utility companies fought these requirements, but since have voluntarily gone above and beyond.
2. Wind farms work in conjunction with existing farms and make economic sense. A single wind turbine can bring in an additional $2000 -$5000 per year in income. Best of all, farmers can continue to farm around the turbines.
3. The production of wind turbines creates jobs within in the state. It's a win-win situation. The state gets clean renewable energy AND a job producing industry.
4. Iowans are, in a nutshell, pragmatic. They do what makes sense and they don't overthink the details. For some this might be viewed as a fault, but in this particular case, the results speak for themselves.

Visiting my childhood state was a bit humbling. We liberal, "progressive" New Englanders could learn a few things from these Midwestern "hicks".

Link to this video for more information on wind power in Iowa.