This year’s Drake Relays will once again be powered entirely by renewable energy with the help of Iowa’s largest utility company. MidAmerican Energy announced today (Tuesday) they will certify that an Iowa wind farm generated 100 percent of the energy to be used during the event. “We are excited to bring our 100 percent renewable energy vision to the Drake Relays for the fifth year in a row,” says Vice President of Economic Connection and Integration, Kathryn Kunert. The company announced its commitment to renewable energy in 2016 at the same time it announced its Wind XI project and is about halfway to its goal of providing 100 percent renewable energy to its customers in Iowa. When finished, the $3.6 billion effort will add 2,000 megawatts of capacity to their system and produce enough wind energy to provide power to 840,000 Iowa homes. Drake Relays Director, Blake Bolton, says, “Athletes from around the world cherish the opportunity to race on the Blue Oval and MidAmerican Energy’s support of renewable energy helps illuminate those performances inside Drake Stadium.” Seven local high school athletes have qualified to compete in five events later this week.
