The U.S. surpassed Germany this year to become the world leader in wind generation, according to a year-end wrap-up released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
In addition, during the summer of 2008, the U.S. wind industry blew past the 20,000-megawatt (MW) installed capacity milestone, achieving in two years what had previously taken two decades (the 10,000-MW mark was reached in 2006).
Other highlights identified by the AWEA include:
20% by 2030 Report–In May, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that wind could provide 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030, supporting 500,000 wind jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as taking 140 million vehicles off the road, and saving 4 trillion gallons of water (a 40-year supply for the city of Phoenix).
Climate change benefits–If electricity produced by America’s wind farms in 2008 were being generated by the conventional mix of fuels, more than 36 million additional tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) would have been emitted. That’s the equivalent of taking over six million cars off the road.
60,000 domestic employees and counting–Wind power continued to provide a critically important stimulus to the faltering U.S. economy this year. In the midst of the economic meltdown, the wind industry remained a bright spot as at least 50 new, expanded or announced wind-related manufacturing facilities were noted all across the nation. Between the first quarter and third quarter of 2008, this expansion created 9,000 new renewable energy jobs in manufacturing alone. Also, in 2008, the wind industry invested more than $15 billion in domestic wind farm construction, which added thousands more domestic employees in construction and operations.
A growing national commitment to clean energy–After nearly a year of anticipation and uncertainty, Congress approved a one-year extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC), which enables utilities, wind energy developers and manufacturers to continue their investments in new wind farm construction in the U.S. The PTC is the main federal policy for encouraging investments in wind.
New collaboration with environmental groups–In November, 20 of the nation’s top science-based conservation and environmental groups and wind energy companies announced the creation of the American Wind Wildlife Institute to facilitate timely and responsible development of wind energy while protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.
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