Alliant Energy Announces Major Clean Energy Expansion—Here’s Why Investors Are Buzzing

Alliant Energy accelerates its Midwest build-out, sparking safety debate and renewable momentum Airport officials raise alarms over Fairfax gas plant A newly proposed 650-MW natural-gas facility near the Eastern Iowa Airport has drawn pushback from aviation leaders, who warn that exhaust plumes could disrupt flight paths and complicate future runway expansion. Alliant Energy says the Fairfax plant would provide “fast, flexible” generation to back up renewables, but the project still needs Iowa Utilities Board approval and Federal Aviation Administration clearance before construction can begin. 1 GW of new wind power filed in Iowa Even as the gas proposal stirs controversy, the utility moved to deepen its clean-energy portfolio. On 2 July the company asked state regulators to approve roughly 1,000 MW of additional wind generation, enough to power about 400,000 homes and keep Alliant on track for its goal of eliminating coal by 2040. First-of-its-kind long-duration storage wins green light in Wisconsin In Columbia County, Wisconsin, regulators gave the go-ahead for a four-hour, 200-MWh iron-air battery system—one of the largest long-duration storage projects announced in the United States. Alliant Energy says the technology can deliver energy for up to 100 hours, smoothing out multi-day renewable swings and lowering reliance on peaker plants. Corporate Responsibility Report highlights decarbonization gains The utility’s 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report shows a 48 % reduction in CO₂ emissions since 2005, alongside $130 million invested in community programs last year. It also reaffirms interim targets of 50 % renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050. Dividend maintained amid capital spending surge Despite a record $3 billion capital plan through 2027, Alliant’s board kept its quarterly dividend steady at $0.46 per share, payable 15 August to shareholders of record on 31 July. The consistent payout, coupled with a “Moderate Buy” consensus from Wall Street analysts, underscores investor confidence in the firm’s balanced growth strategy. What’s next Regulators are expected to rule on the Fairfax gas plant in early 2026. Meanwhile, construction bids for the Iowa wind additions and Wisconsin storage hub are due this autumn. Together, the projects illustrate Alliant Energy’s two-pronged approach: add renewable capacity aggressively while securing dispatchable resources to keep the lights on during Midwestern extremes.