For Release: 01/05/2010

Wisconsin Public Service Iowa Wind Farm Begins Commercial Operations

Green Bay, WI – The 66-turbine, 99-megawatt Crane Creek Wind Farm near Riceville in north central Iowa began commercial operations just before Christmas 2009, said officials of Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS), the wind farm's owner and operator.

"We are very pleased that this project went so smoothly from start to finish," said project manager for WPS Conrad Weis. "There were a few tiny bumps along the way but we finished slightly ahead of schedule and well within budget – thanks to our contractors for development and construction.

"And it is important to point out that the local and state support for this wind farm was exceptional."

The electric output from Crane Creek will count toward the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in Wisconsin for WPS. The RPS requires utilities to generate at least 10% of electricity using renewable resources. Weis said the addition of the wind farm would put WPS in good shape as far as the RPS for the next several years.

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