MADISON, Wis. (Aug. 9, 2024) – The following op-ed by David de Leon, senior vice president of operations at Alliant Energy, was distributed in advance of American Clean Energy Week (Aug. 12-16):
The economic power of American-made energy
Today our power grid is more secure and reliable than ever – and getting stronger by the day thanks to strategic investments in American-made energy. Across the Midwest, communities are experiencing the transformative benefits of cutting-edge energy technologies that drive economic growth and foster sustainable development.
Wind farms are sprouting up among fields of corn and soybeans. Prairie grasses and native pollinator habitat surround powerful new solar arrays. Upgraded hydroelectric dams and innovative battery systems are improving reliability and boosting energy security.
These advancements are reshaping the way we produce electricity, and the Midwest is leading the way with exciting new efforts. These include pioneering agrivoltaic projects that integrate solar power with traditional farming. Innovative recycling solutions for wind turbine blades create high-quality jobs. New technologies, like the nation’s first large-scale compressed CO2 energy storage system, are poised to revolutionize the energy landscape.
Forward-looking improvements make our energy grid stronger and more resilient. Perhaps equally important, they’re creating a new American-made clean energy economy and breathing new life into communities.
For customers, renewable energy delivers cost-effective power and boosts local budgets. Taxes paid by wind and solar projects support community growth. They also help local officials fund priorities like road and bridge projects, school improvements and broadband expansion.
For workers, energy projects bring new jobs and economic security. In addition to powering over 300,000 homes, our solar projects across Wisconsin and Iowa have already created over 3,000 construction jobs. From carpenters and electricians to operating engineers and laborers, careers in the energy sector and skilled trades are booming.
For farmers, leasing land for wind turbines or solar panels offers a stable, drought-resistant income stream. This steady revenue helps preserve quality farmland for future generations and supports financial stability. As one lifelong farmer recently said, “it’s a new beginning for a lot of people.”
American-made clean energy is more than just a power source. It’s a cornerstone of local economic development and community resilience. Diversifying our energy mix and leveraging the benefits of renewable technologies reduces our reliance on imported power and enhances our energy security.
During American Clean Energy Week, it’s important to reflect on our achievements and look forward to future growth opportunities. Through strategic investments and planning, Alliant Energy will continue to deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Learn more about our projects and their benefits to local communities at alliantenergy.com/poweringbeyond.
– David de Leon, senior vice president of operations at Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: LNT) provides regulated energy service to 1 million electric and 425,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's mission is to deliver energy solutions and exceptional service customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL) and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) are Alliant Energy's two public energy companies. Alliant Energy is a component of Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index and the S&P 500. For more information, visit alliantenergy.com and follow Alliant Energy on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.