POTENTIAL & LAND USE

THE RHETORIC: Wind takes too much  land to make much of  the nation’s energy.
 
THE REALITY: Wind can provide a major share of the nation’s electricity needs using a tiny amount of land.

  • “Twenty percent penetration of the U.S. electricity sector by wind energy appears to be technically and economically feasible by 2030” and can be achieved within a footprint less than the size of Anchorage, Alaska.2, 3
  • The vast majority of the land used to host wind turbines  can continue to be used for its original purposes—such  as ranching, farming, wildlife habitat, and recreation.  Only 2-5% of the land is needed for the turbines themselves, roads, and electrical substations.
  • Over the past 5 years, between 2008 and 2012, wind power has provided 36.5% of all new generating capacity in the US (or - 42% for 2012) and the industry is ahead of schedule to produce 20% of America’s electricity by 2030.4
  • Over 60,000 megawatts of wind power are already installed in U.S., enough to power 15.2 million homes.

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