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What technology is adding the most new, zero-emissions electricity to U.S. supply today?
If you answered wind power, you are right. Wind power is now a mainstream option for electricity generation, an essential element of the solution to climate change and a cost-effective, domestic power source for our economy.
The U.S. wind power industry shattered all previous records in 2007, with 45% growth and over 5,200 megawatts installed. That new capacity will generate 16 billion kilowatthours (kWh) of clean, cost-effective electricity in 2008 ¡ªequivalent to powering more than 1.5 million American homes. No other
technology is installing zero-emissions power generation on such a scale today.
In fact, wind power is now one of the largest sources of new electricity generation of any kind. Wind projects accounted for about 30% of all new power generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2007.
116,000 jobs & $19 billion in investment are at risk.
Despite tremendous progress, wind power¡¯s future remains uncertain, as shown by the installed pacity graph (below, left). Unstable federal policy (that is, the expiration and extension cycles of the ral production tax credit, the primary incentive for wind power today) has led to costly boom and bust es
for the industry (note the years 2000-2005). Conversely, consistent availability of the credit atically spurs growth (see years 2005, 2006 and 2007) and, along with it, thousands of new jobs and billions in new investment.
Congress must move quickly to extend the production tax credit and other renewable electricity tax incentives. With 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in clean energy investment at risk, the credits are
a critical element of a long-term federal policy to support this vibrant, fast-growing industry. Americans, by an overwhelming majority, understand this need and favor such government support.
Wind power is one bright spot in the American economy, helping to lower home energy bills, strengthen our energy security, create thousands of new manufacturing jobs and reduce global warming emissions while meeting growing demand for electricity across the nation. It¡¯s time for a long-term, consistent federal policy for wind and other renewables to power a cleaner, stronger America.
Annual Installed U.S. Wind Power Capacity
Randall Swisher
Executive Director
American Wind Energy Association
Wind Power - Wind Energy http://en.86wind.com