Wind
Why Wind Energy?
Wind energy is a renewable source, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases.
Success Story:
A 250 kW turbine installed at the elementary school in Spirit Lake, Iowa, provides an average of 350,000 kWh of electricity per year. This is way more than is necessary to serve the entire school. Excess electricity fed into the local utility system earned the school $25,000 in its first five years. The school was then able to use electricity from the utility at times when the wind was not blowing. This project has been so successful that the school district has since installed a second turbine with a larger capacity.
For more information on this project and other success stories visit:
I.C.L.E.I Local Governments for Sustainability
Video: Wind Power Has Bright Future in Midwest
Video: General Electric in Support of Wind Energy Initiatives
Browse the following links for more
information on the advantages
and disadvantages on Wind-Generated Electricity
American Wind Energy Association
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wind Energy Page
Database for State Incentives for Renewable Energy