Iowa Regulators OK MidAmerican Wind Expansion

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 6, 2009 at 10:13 AM CST

Story Updated: Nov 6, 2009 at 10:14 AM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - More wind power is coming to Iowa.

The Iowa Utilities Board has approved MidAmerican Energy's plans to build wind farms producing 1,001 megawatts of power. Regulators on Thursday rejected arguments that the expansion would give the Des Moines utility an advantage over rival companies.

MidAmerican is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway of Omaha, Neb., and is Iowa's largest wind energy provider with 1,350 megawatts of capacity.

The company says it doesn't know where the new wind farms will be located.

At least 400 new turbines would be needed to reach the 1,001-megawatt threshold. One megawatt can power 300 to 700 homes.

Iowa is the No. 2 wind energy producer behind Texas.

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