why wind?
The American wind power industry has become the fastest growing source of energy, adding 39 percent more capacity in 2009. The amount of capacity added last year, 10,000 megawatts (MW), was the largest on record, and was 18 percent above the capacity added in 2008, also a banner year. The country is close to the point where 2 percent of its electricity will come from wind turbines. Wind power is abundant and provides many communities with renewable, clean electricity that is both economical and environmentally friendly.
Clean & Renewable:
Wind power is a clean and renewable energy source. Wind energy provides clean electricity, free of emissions or hazardous waste. By using wind energy, we are able to avoid the contamination of greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, heavy metals and particulate matter. Wind energy also lessens the amount of smog and acid rain caused by fossil fuels and reduces our contribution to global climate change.
Economical:
Depending on the wind resource, wind is often the most competitive renewable energy technology in the world. While wind project development is a capital-intensive industry, wind turbines require minimal maintenance and have low operating expenses.
Safe & Reliable:
Wind energy leaves no harmful emissions or residues in the environment and has a proven safety record. Wind turbines have an availability factor above 98 percent meaning that they are available for generating electricity more than 98 percent of the hours in a year. This is similar and in some cases higher than other electricity generating technology.
Supports Agriculture:
Wind energy is very compatible with other land uses like farming and ranching. On open, flat terrain, a utility-scale wind farm will require about 100 acres per MW of installed capacity. However, less than 5 percent, or 3 acres, of this area is actually occupied by turbines, access roads, and other equipment; 95 percent remains free for other compatible uses.
Creates Jobs:
A 2008 Department of Energy study reports that each megawatt of wind power capacity creates 17 new jobs - meaning that a 150 megawatt MW project would create an estimated 2500 jobs throughout the supply chain. This includes jobs in various sectors of our economy: manufacturing, construction, transportation, engineering, operations and maintenance, legal, financing, and many more. More than 100,000 people were employed in the in the wind energy industry in 2009.
Strengthens Communities:
Wind energy production diversifies agricultural economies. Wind energy projects bring revenue to local communities where the projects are located, revitalizing rural communities by broadening the tax base, and strengthening local identity.
Secures American Energy Independence:
Wind energy contributes to energy independence in America by reducing our reliance on foreign oil. 150 MW of wind-generated electricity is equivalent to more than 500,000 barrels of imported oil per year. This is the same as taking more than 50,000 automobiles off the road.