Why we love wind power in 2018
As I approach five years in my role as an advocate for American wind energy, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary progress this homegrown success story has made. The U.S. has installed as much wind-powered electricity as used by 26 million American homes, with turbines now in 41 states. And the U.S. finally has a growing offshore wind industry of its own.
In 2017, wind became the country’s largest source of renewable energy by installed capacity. This year it’s expected to become the largest in actual renewable electricity production.
Simply put, this is stunning progress, and every one of the more than 100,000 Americans who work in wind has played an important role.
I have also witnessed what this growing industry has meant to people across the country. It offers well-paying jobs, new resources for farming communities and factory towns, and clean, low-cost electricity.
This week, AWEA is running its annual #iheartwind campaign, and we’ve been hearing why folks around the U.S. support American wind power. Here is what’s behind this outpouring of affection:
Wind powers U.S. job growth
“It just seems like this is the future. This is where we are headed, and where we should be headed,” says Meredith Halfpenny, who has helped build about 400 wind turbines and estimates that she has climbed up-tower at least 1,200 times. “Working in renewables, you feel good about it. A lot of people are drawn to it, and it resonates with people. Everyone comes together very quickly. You have a collective purpose for your jobs.”
Wind adds jobs nine times faster than the overall economy (as we reported in 2016, the most recent data point). And America’s veterans are finding wind energy jobs at a rate 50 percent higher than the average U.S. industry, in all 50 states. More than 500 U.S. factories build parts for wind turbines, and wind turbine technician is one of the country’s two fastest growing jobs, along with solar panel installer.
As Meredith can attest, these aren’t just jobs — they’re careers that let wind workers support their families.
New resources for farming and ranching communities
“Pre-wind, our county taxable value was $500 million,” says Ken Becker, executive director of the Sweetwater Economic Development Corp. in Texas. “In 2008 (after wind came to the area), it was $2.8 billion.”
Over 99 percent of wind farms are built in rural areas — and there aren’t many other industries making the kinds of investments in these communities that wind is. Last year, farmers and ranchers hosting wind turbines on their land received $245 million in lease payments. And that number goes up every year as more wind farms are built. That’s income these families can count on when commodity prices are low or drought strikes.
Wind farms also often become the largest taxpayer in a county. That means added income to fix roads, improve schools or fund law enforcement.
That’s a huge benefit for communities that historically have small tax bases. In Sheldon, New York, the town eliminated all local taxes for eight years because wind farm revenue covered all its budgetary needs. In Van Wert, Ohio, the Lincolnview school district was able to provide every student in grades K-12 with a computer, all at no cost to the taxpayer.
These funds help communities build a prosperous future.
Clean air and health benefits
Wind power represents one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways to cut carbon pollution. In 2016 alone, wind created $7.4 billion in public health savings by cutting the air pollution that causes smog and can trigger asthma attacks. That literally keeps Americans out of the hospital.
In fact, from 2007 to 2015 wind generated up to $108 billion in air-quality and public health benefits, according to researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, helping to avoid up to 12,200 premature deaths,
So whether it’s jobs, rural economic benefits, clean air or more, we look forward to hearing from more Americans this week about why they love wind power. In my job here at the American Wind Energy Association, I’ve witnessed the incredible benefits U.S. wind energy has created over the past five years. I have a feeling the best is yet to come.
