Sen. Grassley honored with wind industry award

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently named Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) its U.S. Wind Champion for the 115th Congress.

The U.S. Wind Champion Award is an honor the association bestows upon lawmakers who have taken action in support of American wind energy.

The award was presented during AWEA’s American Wind Week, which is August 5-11.

“It’s an honor to receive this award from America’s leading wind energy advocates. Wind is a critical part of our nation’s all-of-the-above energy strategy. It creates thousands of jobs, generates billions of dollars across Iowa and the nation, it’s safe for the environment, and it helps ensure American energy independence,” Grassley said. “Wind is an efficient, cost-effective energy alternative. I’m proud to support wind energy, and I’ll continue to do what I can in the Senate to help it grow and flourish.”

Iowa is a national leader for wind power. Wind farms generated 37 percent of the electricity produced in Iowa in 2017, which is a larger share than any other state. The wind industry employs about 8,000 people in the state.

“Senator Grassley is known to many as ‘the father of wind energy,” Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA, said. “His vision and decades of tireless support for America’s wind workers forged wind power into a major pillar of U.S. energy production, Iowa’s economy, and rural communities across the nation. Our industry is honored to recognize Sen. Grassley as an outstanding Wind Champion.”

Wind emerged as the country’s largest source of renewable energy capacity in 2017.

“The customers and communities we serve directly benefit from wind,” Patricia Kampling, chairman and CEO of Alliant Energy, said. “In Iowa, we’re spending around $2 billion on new wind through 2020 that will provide economic benefits for decades to come. We thank Senator Grassley for his leadership in growing Iowa’s wind energy economy.”

AWEA represents 1,000 member companies in the wind industry.