Industry analysts say Kansas is blowing past other states when it comes to commitment to wind power.
The American Wind Energy Association says in its first-quarter report that the state will reach 5,000 megawatts of wind power generation capacity this year. Only Texas, Oklahoma, California and Iowa produce more wind energy.
The 200-megawatt Cimarron Bend II wind farm in Clark County and the 280-megawatt Western Plains wind farm in Ford County came on line this year and brought the state to 4,931 megawatts of generation capacity.
The Wichita Eagle reports a 178-megawatt Bloom Wind Farm is under construction south of Dodge City in Ford and Clark counties and the 400-megawatt Iron Star wind farm near Dodge City is in advanced development and likely will be built this year.
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