US Wind Energy Up 45% in '07; Continued Growth Now Up to Congress

It was a banner year for wind energy in 2007: 45% growth in a single year.

The American Wind Energy Association announced the industry "shattered all its previous records" by installing 5,244 megawatts (MW) of new capacity and "injecting an investment of over $9 billion into the economy."

The U.S. wind power capacity now totals 16,818 MW, spans 34 states, will generate an estimated 48 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy in 2008 -- equivalent to just over 1% of U.S. electricity supply, powering the equivalent of over 4.5 million homes.

The trajectory of recent expansion, though, will be slowed unless Congress acts to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) which is now set to expire at the end of the year.

Let's not forget what happened to wind energy in 2000, 2002, and 2004 when fickle policy allowed tax credits for wind energy production to expire. Industry growth in following years declined 93%, 73% and 77%, respectively.

Let's not forget this, too. Extension of the tax credit was included in the draft energy bill that emerged from the House last December. It was removed by the Senate -- replaced by a measure to continue billions of dollars in subsidies to the oil and gas industries -- and signed into law by the President.

Let's not forget either which state leads the nation in installed wind capacity: Texas, with 4356 MW, almost twice as much as second-ranking California, with 2439 MW. Texas owes its pre-eminent position on wind thanks to a Governor it once had named George Bush.

In its announcement, AWEA also notes these advantages of wind power that benefit the entire economy and nation.

• Helps protect consumers from increases in electricity costs due to volatile fuel prices and supply disruptions: by reducing the use of natural gas and other fuels used for electricity generation, and lowering the pressure on their price, wind can save consumers money, even in regions with low or no wind resources.

• Reduces global warming emissions: To generate the same amount of electricity using the average U.S. power plant fuel mix would cause over 28 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) to be emitted annually.

• Conserves precious water resources: Wind farms don’t need water for steam or for cooling, a benefit that is increasingly valuable in arid areas and in times of drought.

AWEA also notes that thanks to wind energy development, 14 new manufacturing plants opened in the US, "creating new jobs and business opportunities across the country."

Hmmm....now about that economic stimulus package now being considered in Washington to try to save us from a tumble into recession -- let's see if they can figure out which way the wind is blowing.

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