The Greater Des Moines Partnership plans a panel discussion on the cost-effectiveness of wind energy Oct. 17. The event, which is free, will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Partnership headquarters. Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, will moderate the panel, “The Business Case for Wind Energy.” Other panelists will include Kathryn Kunert, vice president of economic connections and integration at MidAmerican Energy; Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership; and John Boorman, vice president of the Iowa Wind Energy Association. The American Wind Energy Association will release a new report on Iowa wind energy at the event. Register for the event online.