MARSHALLTOWN- Alliant Energy showcased Iowa’s most efficient natural gas-fueled generating station on May 15 during an event observing the 650-megawatt Marshalltown Generating Station is now providing cost effective, clean energy to customers.

Alliant Energy provides electric and natural gas service to Toledo, Tama, and surrounding areas.

More than 250 individuals attended the recognition event, including Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and other state and local leaders.

A program, ribbon cutting and tours helped signal the completion of one of Iowa’s largest economic development projects. The Marshalltown Generating Station represents a $645 million investment that created more than 1,200 construction jobs at its peak, resulting in nearly $50 million spent locally by contractors and workers.

In late April, the facility was given the Envision Platinum Award by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. The generating station is the first in Iowa to earn an Envision award. The Envision system rates the substantiality of infrastructure projects across the full range of environmental, social and economic impacts, and the Platinum award is the highest attainable Envision recognition level.

“This is the most efficient facility of its type in Iowa and among the five most efficient in the nation,” Karling said. “Its ability to rapidly adjust its output up and down makes it the perfect partner to our wind and solar investments.”

The new generating station, which went into commercial operation on April 1, provides electricity to 500,000 homes and businesses. It emits less than half the carbon dioxide, about two-thirds less nitrogen and roughly 99% less sulfur and mercury than traditional coal-fired generation.

The Marshalltown Generating Station continues a long history of investment by Alliant Energy in Marshalltown, Iowa. The company has been generating power in the community for over 60 years.