A new report from the Iowa Wind Energy Association shows that Iowa produces the highest percentage of electricity by wind of any state.
"And from everything we've seen data-wise, we'll probably remain there at least for the next couple of years," says Mike Prior, executive director of the IWEA. "That's really something to be proud of."
On this news buzz edition of River to River, host Ben Kieffer talks with Prior about the findings in the report and what it will mean for the wind energy industry in Iowa going forward.
"You can think about wind energy as Iowa's next great cash crop," says Prior. "For many years we've had corn and soy beans, hogs, and other commodities that we've developed here in our state and have shipped elsewhere across the country. Wind energy is going to be no different in the future."
Also on this program:
Pam Whitworth, director of the Shanti Children's Foundation, shares her experience being in Nepal when the earthquake hit, as well as what efforts are needed for recovery. "It's really terrifying when the earth under your feet, which we're so used to taking for granted being stable, is totally unpredictable," Whitworth says.
Ben Kieffer talks with Des Moines Register reporter Grant Rodgers about an Iowa taxidermist charged with trafficking endangered rhino horns.
Erin Jordan, reporter for The Gazette/KCRG, talks about her latest reporting which shows that Iowa ranks sixth in nation for share of kids in foster care, with six kids out of every 1,000 entering the system in fiscal 2013.
Iowa Public Radio's Amy Mayer gives an update on the spread of avian flu.
And, a forgotten soldier is remembered. Kieffer talks with Vietnam veteran Dan Gannon, who recently worked to get a fellow veteran's name added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial south of the State Capitol.
