Missouri wind energy capacity soars

TARKIO, Mo. -- A national survey of wind energy says Missouri added the third-highest amount of wind farm capacity in the nation during the second quarter of the year.

The American Wind Energy Association said Tuesday that the completion of the Farmers City wind farm near Tarkio in northwest Missouri added 146 megawatts of wind energy capacity. That brings the state's total capacity to 306 megawatts.

The 90 percent increase in capacity was the largest jump among any state the nation, the association said.

Texas once again led the country for individual projects, adding 454 megawatts during the quarter.

In total, U.S. wind farm developers installed 1,210 megawatts of new wind power during the quarter, or enough energy to power about 350,000 homes.