Blue isn't the only color at the Drake Relays this year. MidAmerican Energy Company is making the Drake Relays "green" by offsetting 100 percent of the electricity used during the event with wind energy.
To offset the electricity, Drake University will use renewable energy certificates donated from MidAmerican Energy's Pomeroy wind farm, located in Pocahontas and Calhoun counties in Iowa.
"We are proud of the part we're playing to make Iowa a national leader in wind energy," said Mike Gehringer, vice president, renewable energy for MidAmerican Energy. "We recently announced plans for our biggest wind project ever, and partnering with the Drake Relays, one of the nation's premier athletic events, is a great way to celebrate that announcement and create awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of wind."
"It's a big deal for the Drake Relays, presented by Hy-Vee, and Drake University for this to be a clean energy event," said Brian Brown, director of the Drake Relays. "We value our partnerships tremendously, especially MidAmerican Energy's ability to ensure that the Drake Relays run on clean, renewable energy produced in Iowa. Every year we challenge our partners and ourselves to continue to make the Relays one of the most unique events in the world. MidAmerican has met that challenge again with its commitment to provide renewable energy certificates to power the Drake Relays, presented by Hy-Vee."
The use of wind energy at the Drake Relays comes just weeks after MidAmerican Energy announced its Wind XI project - a $3.6 billion project that will add up to 2,000 megawatts of wind generation in Iowa. If approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, the proposed plan will be the largest economic development project in the state's history. Once complete, MidAmerican Energy will generate wind energy equal to 85 percent of its annual customer sales in Iowa, bringing it one step closer toward its vision of 100 percent renewable energy.
About the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee:
For one week a year, the Drake Relays, presented by Hy-Vee, brings together Iowa's top high school athletes with the best collegiate and Olympic performers from across the nation and around the world. Every April at historic Drake Stadium, the competition is fierce, the athletes spectacular and the performances legendary. Fans have packed the stands for 106 runnings, witnessing the fall of 14 world records, 51 American records and 56 national collegiate records. It is this combination of unmatched atmosphere and the spirit of competition that truly makes the Drake Relays America's Athletic Classic. For more information, visit www.DrakeRelays.org.
About MidAmerican Energy Company
MidAmerican Energy Company is an energy provider serving 752,000 electric customers and 733,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. It is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Information about MidAmerican Energy is available on the company's website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, which can be accessed via www.midamericanenergy.com.
For more information
666 Grand Ave
Des Moines Iowa
United States 50303-0657
www.midamericanenergy.com
