“Iowa’s New Energy Source: Compressed Air in Underground Caverns”

I’m from Iowa, so I perked up when I saw this headline about alternative energy in the latest Pew Research Center newsletter.  Here’s the gist:

The proposed project, known as the Iowa Stored Energy Park (IESP), will use low-cost, off-peak electricity — and wind energy that is not being sold on the grid at that time — to store air in an underground geologic structure of porous rock located 3,000 feet underground, beneath layers of impermeable cap rock. The air will be injected under pressure, pushing back water stored in the rock.

The rock will hold air much like a sponge holds water. Then, as demand for electricity rises, the stored air will be released, heated, and used to drive generators — in turn producing electricity for residents in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas.  [www.renewableenergyaccess.com]

Putting aside the project’s promise of clean, renewable energy, I’m frankly blown away by the comedic potential!  Have you ever come across anything begging this hard to get mentioned in a late night monologue?  Iowans are famous for having their ducts in a row, but given this opportunity to vent, maybe they shouldn’t put all their begs in one ask-it!

I guess that’s why they’re building a rainforest in my hometown. 

Update (3-16-07):  I’m behind the times.  My dad let me know that the rainforest project is going to be built elsewhere, though it’s still, eh hem, up in the air.  The project does have a spiffy website though.