How Much Money Can the US save With Wind Power in 20 Years?
The United States is currently the number one producer of wind generated electricity in the world. These figures come from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) and Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). Just under a third of the total amount of electricity generated in the state of Iowa was a product of wind energy. Other states are following suit with total percentages ranging from 20% and above.
This clean resource is key in our search to find renewable and ecologically friendly solutions for powering our cities. Plans are currently underway to reach the goal of supplying twenty percent of our nations’ electricity through wind power over the next twenty years.
Advantages of wind power
First and foremost, wind power is the cleanest type of energy generation possible with zero carbon emissions. A twenty percent shift could have a significant impact on the environment in a positive way. The effort will help to reduce harmful impacts on the planet, but this is not the only benefit that we’ll soon see.
Wind offers a low cost alternative for energy production that will be m ore affordable for the companies converting and producing the energy which will trickle down to lower monthly utility costs for private citizens and companies.
This natural resource offers industry stability with regard to availability and pricing so it will make a big difference for consumers who purchase energy that has been generated in this manner. Wind power is a sustainable energy source and takes away the dependence on less eco-friendly alternatives.
Studies show that the emissions levels show some degree of lessening where wind power is created in higher percentages which is a good indication that we’re heading towards a cleaner and safer environment for our children and our grandchildren.
Other states joining in the cause
Iowa has definitely been a leader and set a good example for others to follow. Currently, other states including Vermont, Maine, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Idaho, North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota and Oregon obtain at least ten or greater percent of their energy from wind power. We’re seeing the trend toward this resource climb steadily upwards and it shows that the United States is taking the current crisis in environmental pollution seriously. Other states are beginning to participate and although they have not yet reached the ten percent mark, many are steadily gaining with five percent total wind energy production and on the move.
Projected timeline
According to the DOE, it is estimated that the United States will reach the ten percent mark for total energy production through the use of wind turbines by the year 2020. Within the next decade, the goal is to reach twenty percent in 2030 and by the year 2050, a total wind power production of thirty five percent.
Additional benefits of wind power
This new production method is projected to produce several thousand new jobs throughout the country. As more turbines are erected and new wind power companies spring up ,they will need to be staffed. This offers higher employment numbers and lower unemployment rates for a boost to the nations’ economy. People will be paying less for energy and reaping the benefits of a cleaner environment to boot. Wind energy has all of the earmarks of becoming a real game changer in the US in the coming decades.
Property owners will benefit from the boost in income they receive from the land leases that are necessary for installing the wind turbines which collect the raw materials for generating the energy. Local communities will benefit in the revenues that they will receive from the taxes which are mandatory on energy generating companies.
The money which is currently set at approximately $400 billion dollars a year will not need to be applied towards pollution control with this substantial decrease in energy related pollutants being dumped into the air. Overall, it’s a win win situation with everyone coming out ahead in the deal.
The future of wind energy
The plans have been firmly set into place with clearly established goals for increasing the amount of energy produced by wind power. The next twenty years have been meticulously planned out and we’re making excellent progress at reaching milestones along with way. We’re seeing a tremendous migration towards wind generated power that has not encountered the resistant that we’ve seen to date with solar power. The requirements for setting up and establishing a wind system does take an initial investment and requires maintenance, but the proceeds will quickly make up the difference.
The national trade association of the US wind and energy industry is AWEA. It currently has over nine hundred members which are companies and leaders in the wind power industry. Hundreds are already getting on board with the US agenda for cleaning up our production processes for the energy that we rely on for everyday business and private citizen use. We see the light at the end of the tunnel with respect to curbing our production of harmful carbon emissions.
The next conference sponsored by AWEA will be held in Anaheim California on May 22nd through the 26th of 2017. This is slated to be the largest wind power trade show in the Western Hemisphere. it will be attended by manufacturing companies, service and component suppliers. It offers the opportunity to learn more about how wind power is produced and also provides attendees with the platform for making important connections with others who are in the wind power industry.
Final thoughts
In the race to save our planet, and ultimately ensure the continuation of life on earth, we’re beginning to make progress. This is just one step towards a healthier earth, and an additional benefit for the United States is that we won’t need to look further than our own borders for the resources to produce energy. Environmental and health based government agencies are combining efforts with energy producers who have an interest in pursuing this cleaner form of energy production. There are no drawbacks associated with this grand plan but there certainly are plenty of benefits. It is estimated that the average savings that people in the US will realize is between $65 and $200 per year. When you do the math per capita and business, it amounts to billions.
Sources
http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/pressrelease.aspx?ItemNumber=7303
