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Google inks a 407 MW wind energy deal with MidAmerican Energy for its Iowa data center

If it feels like a lot of major corporations are going green, it could have something to do with today being Earth Day and of course Google is joining in on the eco-friendly festivities. Sure, the company is fighting poachers and helping nonprofit organizations, but what about its own backyard? Earlier today, the folks in Mountain View announced a new deal with MidAmerican Energy that will supply its Iowa data center with up to 407 megawatts of 100 percent renewable wind energy.

This deal is Google’s seventh and largest renewable energy purchase to date, which brings the company’s total amount of contracted environmentally-friendly energy to over 1,000 megawatts. MidAmerican Energy will use several of its wind farms to bring power to the data center, including the company’s Wind VIII program, a project that aims to bring 1,050 megawatts of new Iowa wind power online next year.

“Google’s significant and growing presence within our service area, along with its long and demonstrated commitment to renewable energy, have been important factors in MidAmerican Energy’s pursuit of renewable power,” said Bill Fehrman, president and CEO of MidAmerican Energy, in a press release today. “In addition to increasing Google’s access to renewable energy, this agreement also reduces energy costs for our customers.”

Last year, Google invested $200 million into a wind farm in Texas, however the financial terms of its partnership with MidAmerican have yet to be detailed.

(via MidAmerican Energy)

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