Iowa Utilities Board approves wind power expansion by MidAmerican Energy
DES MOINES, Iowa (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.
Grassley says cedar Rapids will soon receive funding for flood buyouts
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley says federal funding that will pay the bulk of the cost to buy out some 1,300 flood-damaged properties in Cedar Rapids is closer to being available.
» Full StoryPentagon announces callup of 300 Iowa reservists
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Defense Department has announced that 300 soldiers of a U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines have been alerted for duty in Iraq next spring.
» Full StoryJudge dismisses burglary charges against 2 Iowa men found with black marker on faces
CARROLL, Iowa (AP) — A Carroll County judge has dismissed attempted burglary charges against two men who painted their faces with permanent black marker.
» Full StoryBobcats being hit by cars in southwest Iowa
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Add bobcats to the list of roadkill turning up on Iowa highways.
Officials say several bobcats have been struck by drivers in southwest Iowa recently.
South Carolina man charged with killing baby son in Iowa to stand trial in 2010
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa man accused of killing his infant son four years ago will go on trial in 2010.
Brian Dykstra, who lives in Central, S.C.






