HOW THE U.S. CAN LEAD WORLD WIND

The U.S. can stay number one in wind energy

James Walker, March 10, (Fort Worth Star Telegram)

“America leads the world in wind power — and it’s effectively doing so with one arm behind its back…The federal Production Tax Credit, first signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, has spurred the growth of wind power — and generated billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs in the process…Unfortunately, the credit expired at the end of 2014…Congress must act quickly to extend it… Inventors in New Hampshire launched the world’s first wind farm 35 years ago…Today, U.S. wind turbines are so productive that our nation regularly finishes ahead of other countries that have also installed large numbers of turbines, including China, Spain and Germany…The credit has fueled sustained technological progress — including taller towers, longer blades, better gearboxes, computer controls and new power lines…Project developers now know how to locate turbines so that they capture the most wind with the least impact on local wildlife…The wind sector has supported an average of over 73,000 well-paying jobs and drawn over $17 billion a year in private investment over the last five years…[The] Department of Energy is working on a major “Wind Vision” study…that shows how to double wind energy production…[to] 10 percent of the U.S. electricity supply in 2020. By 2030, that figure could reach 20 percent — and by 2050, wind could be America’s biggest source of electricity…” click here for more

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