DES MOINES -- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and other Midwestern governors are touting the wind energy industry's potential to create good-paying jobs in a time of economic downturn.

The governors participated in the WINDPOWER 2009 conference in Chicago, which features more than 1,000 wind energy companies and 47 countries.

Culver said the wind energy industry is arguably the best suited to provide job opportunities in the down economy and called on Congress to pass a federal renewable energy standard.

"We are very excited obviously about the unlimited opportunities that renewable energy and wind energy in particular offer this country and our respective states," Culver said.

Iowa currently has nine manufacturers producing components for the wind energy industry. Iowa community college graduates with specialized training are starting off with wind energy jobs that pay $50,000-$60,000 a year, Culver said.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, whose state has been battered by layoffs in auto industry and related sectors, said jobs in the wind energy industry could replace manufacturing jobs there.

She said the industrial Midwest could move from being the Rust Belt to the Green Belt. Suppliers to the auto industry could easily be manufacturing wind energy components, she said.

"I continue to tell Michigan citizens that whenever you hear the words 'climate change' or 'global warming,' think jobs," Granholm said.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle highlighted the jobs created in his state by more than 200 companies that are suppliers in the wind energy business.

"The Midwest I believe � can be much of the answer to America's energy problems," Doyle said. "We have great people, hardworking people, great manufacturing systems, great infrastructure."

Doyle said the reason wind energy has taken off in Wisconsin is that the state has adopted a renewable energy standard that will require utilities to get 25 percent of their electricity generation from renewable sources by 2025.

Supporters of a federal renewable electricity standard say more renewable sources of electricity would lower consumer prices, strengthen U.S. energy security and improve the environment.

A poll released by convention organizers found that 75 percent of Americans support such a national standard that would generate 25 percent of the country's electricity from renewable sources by 2025.