Iowa Utilities Board approves huge wind energy project

The Iowa Utilities Board has approved a wind turbine operation that an industry groups says will be the nation's largest wind energy project. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Utilities Board has approved a wind turbine operation that an industry groups says will be the nation's largest wind energy project. Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy is behind the planned $3.6 billion wind turbine operation that will generate up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity. MidAmerican Energy said that is enough energy to power the equivalent of 800,000 average households, and the project will see 85 percent of the company's Iowa customer needs met through wind energy by 2020. The American Wind Energy Association says it will be the nation's largest wind energy project. Bill Fehrman, the utility's CEO and president, announced the project in April. The company said Friday in a news release that the location of the 1,000 turbines for the project is still being determined. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.