DES MOINES — While clean, renewable wind energy generates more than 40% of Iowa’s electricity, President Trump during Thursday’s debate trashed Iowa’s primary energy source, saying of wind energy, 

“it’s extremely expensive, kills all the birds, it’s very intermittent. It’s got a lot of problems…” 

“the fumes coming up– If you’re a believer in carbon emission, the fumes coming up to make– make these massive windmills is more than anything that we’re talking about with natural gas.” 

Despite Trump’s comments, Iowans know how important wind energy is to the Hawkeye State. In addition to the clean energy it generates, in Iowa wind energy is responsible for more than 9,000 jobs, $61 million in annual state and local tax payments, and $69 million in annual land lease payments. 

Instead of attacking this vital industry, Joe Biden understands that the climate crisis is both an existential threat to our way of life, and an opportunity for America to lead the world in a clean energy revolution, in part by following Iowa’s lead and investing in wind and other forms of renewable energy. 

See some of the coverage of Trump’s misguided attacks on Iowa’s primary energy source below:

WHO: President Trump’s Remarks on Wind Energy Draw Criticism from Local Experts

The American Wind Energy Association fact checked [Trump’s] claims. It says, “since wind energy does not burn fuel to generate electricity it does not emit any air pollutants or ‘fumes’ such as carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide.”

In Iowa wind energy makes up the largest single source of electricity. Local experts say wind is actually the least expensive form of new electricity generation available and it’s been an economic boost for the state of Iowa. 

WVIK: Loebsack Contests Trump’s Stance on Wind Energy

Congressman Dave Loebsack visited Davenport today to campaign for Joe Biden. At LeClaire Park, Loebsack disparaged President Donald Trump’s comments that windmills kill birds. He says it shows how little the president understands renewable energy. 

“He doesn’t know that we have 9,000 or 10,000 jobs in Iowa in the wind energy industry. He doesn’t understand that farmers are making money on the land where those turbines are set up because they’re paying those farmers for the use of that land. He doesn’t understand what this does for the state of Iowa in terms of the cost of energy.”

WHO: Iowa’s Wind Energy is Booming

“…good wind energy does for our economy really great things and climate change certainly outweighs that. Wind energy makes up the largest single source of electricity in Iowa, replacing what used to be a lot of coal fired power generation. 

President Trump also claimed it’s expensive but experts tell me wind is actually the least expensive form of new electricity generation that’s available. And it’s also benefited the state’s economy. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Iowa is second in the nation with wind industry jobs totalling more than 9,000.”

Quad City Times: Loebsack hammers Trump over pandemic

On energy, Loebsack called out Trump for his comments in Thursday’s debate attacking wind energy. Trump claimed wind turbines kill “all the birds” is “extremely expensive” and is more harmful than natural gas.

“(Wind) power is a big deal in Iowa,” Loebsack said, noting more than 40% of the state’s electricity comes from wind generation. “And Joe Biden is a supporter of renewable energy in all of its different manifestations. But, the president was talking about wind. He doesn’t get wind power. … He has no idea what he’s talking about. He has no idea that we’ve got 9,000 to 10,000 jobs in Iowa in the wind energy industry. Those would be destroyed if he remained president of the United States. He doesn’t understand what this does for the state of Iowa in terms of the cost of energy.”