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Clean Power Comes on Strong: Wind Energy Winds have shaped the rugged West Texas landscape for ages. Now those winds are fueling a clean energy revolution that is revitalizing the West Texas economy. Since 1999,wind energy has infused the state with more than $1 billion in capital investment, providing farmers, ranchers and local communities with new sources of income. Wind energy is the fastest-growing source of power on the planet. With our tremendous wind resources, the United States can become a world leader in wind energy. Already, wind turbines in this country produce enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 1 million households. A single modern wind turbine can produce enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of 500 average homes. In recent years the price of wind has fallen dramatically, making it increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. The federal government's National Renewable Energy Laboratory projects that the price of wind energy will fall even further over the next decade, making it the most economically competitive renewable energy technology. As a growing power source, wind e n e rgy can become a major force for economic development. Wind development can save consumers money and bring construction jobs, leasing royalties, and increased tax revenues to local communities. Supplying even 5 percent of the country’s electricity with wind power by 2020 would add $60 billion in capital investment in rural America, provide $1.2 billion in new income for farmers and rural landowners, and create 80,000 new jobs. Farmers and ranchers can also use wind power as a new "crop," earning $2,000 per year in lease payments per turbine, helping insulate them from falling commodity prices. A single turbine takes up less than a quarter of an acre, including access roads, and farmers can grow crops or graze livestock right up to the base of the turbines. How Does it Work? Standing as tall as 300 feet to capture the full force of the wind, modern wind turbines use state-of-the-art technology to turn wind into electricity. When the wind blows, the blades begin to spin, t u rning an electric generator to create electricity. This electricity is carried through the turbine tower underground, where it feeds into the electric grid. Photo courtesy National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club