DES MOINES – Iowa is set to be the center of the nation’s wind energy market, Gov. Chet Culver said Monday at the American Wind Energy Association’s annual conference in Los Angeles.

Culver touted the state’s growing wind energy industry, incentives to promote alternative fuels and the state’s work force as he promoted Iowa to the association – a national trade group representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry.

The group has set a goal of producing 20 percent of the nation’s energy from renewable sources by 2020. Currently, about 1 percent of the nation’s energy comes from such sources.

Culver said Iowa’s efforts to boost renewable energy place the state “in the epicenter of the North American wind markets.”

“Our leadership in wind energy has built a solid foundation for this industry’s success,” Culver said in a copy of his speech obtained by The Associated Press.

Culver said Iowa is the third leading producer of wind energy in the nation, with more than 1000 wind turbines capable of producing enough electricity to power 250,000 homes each year.

Three companies – Acciona Energy, Siemans Wind Power and Clipper Windpower – have moved to Iowa in the past two years, Culver said.

The governor said the Iowa Power Fund, created by the Legislature this year, will invest $100 million over four years into renewable energy research and development. The state also has a Research and Development Tax Credit to assist in the deployment of renewable energy generating equipment, he said.

Culver also identified the Iowa Values Fund, which helps attract new businesses to the state and existing ones expand.

Culver also promoted the education, training and work ethic of the state’s work force.

“As you know, a company is only a strong as its work force, and in Iowa you can find some of the best workers in the world,” he said.

Culver said Iowa’s location and access to major railroads and the Mississippi and Missouri rivers makes it a good location for business to manufacture and transport their products nationwide.

“These strategic advantages – our renewable energy leadership, central location, world-class work force, quality of life, hospitality and continued commitment to wind energy – are but a few of the many advantages to locating to Iowa,” Culver said.

The group’s meeting continues Tuesday.