Story Updated: Apr 8, 2010 at 10:38 AM CDT – Source: KCRG.com
DES MOINES (AP) – Iowa ranks second in the nation in wind energy capacity, according to a new report issued by the American Wind Energy Association.

The report released Thursday shows that Iowa trails only Texas and moved ahead of California in installed wind energy capacity in 2008, the latest period that data was available.

The report also shows about 7 percent of Iowa’s power comes from the wind. That’s enough to power the equivalent of 900,000 homes.

Iowa also leads the country in attracting wind turbine manufacturers, with three turbine manufacturers and one blade manufacturer all opening plants in the state.

Washington and Oregon round out the top five states for installed wind energy capacity in 2008.