Alliant Energy activates wind farm in Iowa

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Alliant Energy officials have activated a massive wind farm in Iowa.

According to the utility, the $400 million-plus Whispering Willow Wind Farm-East in Franklin County is capable of generating up to 200 megawatts of emissions-free energy, power for about 50,000 homes.

The farm includes 121 wind turbines spread over 144 square miles. Construction began in 2008.

Over the next 20 years the farm will save about 2 million tons of carbon dioxide, 2,600 tons of nitrogen oxides, 7,000 tons of sulfur and half-a-ton of mercury from entering the environment — the equivalent of removing 309,000 cars from the road every year, according to a report from the energy company.