However, wind energy has significantly boosted rural economies, with investments exceeding $19 billion by 2018 and creating thousands of jobs in manufacturing and operations Iowa is a leader in the wind energy industry. The wind energy revolution in Iowa began with the enactment of a state law in 1983, requiring investor-owned utilities to purchase 105 MW of power from wind generation, making Iowa the first state with a renewable portfolio standar. By 2019, wind energy surpassed coal in electricity generation, accounting for over 40%, and by 2022, capacity exceeded 12,200 MW, providing over 62% of the state’s electricity, ranking Iowa second nationally behind Texas.