Wind power is clean.
Wind is a source of clean, inexhaustible energy that has virtually no polluting properties or side effects. It produces no emissions and requires no fuel.
The Bush Administration Department of Energy Report 20% Wind Energy by 2030 found that wind can play a major role in meeting America's increasing demand for electricity. The 20% wind scenario could reduce projected carbon emissions by 825 million metric tons, or 25%, from the electric sector by 2030. The nation's 40,108 megawatts of wind installations already offset emissions equal to taking over 10.5 million cars off the road. America's wind energy is saving the nation over 20 billion gallons of water that would otherwise be used for steam or cooling in conventional power plants.
The wind energy industry works hard to make sure it is environmentally responsible. It takes potential wildlife impacts seriously and, through research and collaboration with the leading wildlife groups, continues to find ways in which impacts can be lessened. New wind projects are carefully planned to minimize impacts on habitats, even though wind is already one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources, requiring no mining or drilling, using no water and producing no toxic waste.
Wind is affordable.
Wind energy is now one of the most cost-effective sources of new generation, competing with new installations of natural gas and costing less than either coal or nuclear power. Its cost has dropped steadily over the past few years, as technology has matured with more efficient manufacturing and enhanced turbine performance and reliability.
Wind energy protects Americans against fuel volatility, protecting families and businesses from unpredictable price spikes that are typical of fossil fuels. Once a wind farm is built, the price is locked in by a long-term contract between the project owners and the local electric utility, which won't be affected by changing fuel market prices.
Wind power provides electricity at a stable cost, creates jobs, and generates revenue for farmers and rural communities. Revenue from wind farms also helps spur local economic development that supports roads, schools, libraries, and hospitals.
Wind is homegrown.
Wind is a reliable, proven source of electricity that can play a critical role in diversifying our nation's power portfolio. No single energy source can alone meet the country's electricity needs, but wind is making a real and steadily growing contribution to our electricity supply, already powering the equivalent of 9.7 million American homes.
The United States boasts some of the best wind resources in the world, with enough accessible kinetic energy to produce 3.7 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—or nearly 10 times the country's existing power needs.
U.S. wind energy is built by Americans for Americans. Over 400 American manufacturing plants build wind components, towers and blades. Since 2007, over 100 wind energy manufacturing facilities have come online, been announced or expanded. Now over 50% of a U.S.-installed turbine's value is produced right here, on American soil, a 12-fold increase from just a few year's ago. Some turbine manufacturers have already said they plan to make 100% of their components in America, and the trend is expected to continue.
That's why Americans want more wind energy. Thank you for joining us here on PowerofWind.com.
