Environmental impacts

Wind energy does not cause air or water pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. One of the only environmental impacts is that birds can get caught in the arms and be injured. Wind farms also use land, but are in areas that have strong winds and so are not the most desirable for development.

Renewable

Wind energy comes from the sun, and it is not depleted with use like fossil fuel energy sources.

Energy cost

In 2002, wind power cost about 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is competitive with coal and gas-powered energy sources. The price of wind power has declined over time as the technology has improved, whereas the price of fossil fuel sources increases as they become more difficult and costly to extract. Wind power is projected to cost 3 cents per kWh in 2012.

Jobs

According to the National Renewable Energy Lab, wind energy provides more jobs per dollar invested than any other source of electricity.

Power production

Wind power produced electricity in 31 states in the U.S. in 2008. Wind power production is also common in Europe and China. Wind production ranges from wind farms with a large number of windmills to single windmills providing power to homes.

Construction savings

Wind power farms can be built in 18 to 24 months, much more quickly than conventional power plants. Investment costs are typically recouped in three to eight months, significantly less time than for conventional sources.

Source:

Natural Resources Defense Council: Wind

U.S. Department of Energy: Wind Power