The United States is now generating enough wind energy to power 13 million homes, or all the households in Nevada, Colorado, Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama and Connecticut.
The America Wind Energy Association said a surge in wind farm development has helped the sector reach its 50-gigawatt installed capacity milestone ahead of schedule. The surge is thanks to the potential expiration of wind energy tax credits at the end of this year. More than 2.8-gigawatt of wind energy has been added to the U.S. so far this year, the trade group said.
The group, however, cautioned that despite recent gains, the wind sector could soon significantly slow down. Earlier this month Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the production tax credits would be allowed to expire at the end of the year if he takes over the White House in November. President Barack Obama, on the other hand, favors the wind farm tax credits and has said he would keep them intact if reelected in November.
Meanwhile, a number of new wind projects are starting to slow down while developers wait to find out whether the credits will live or die.
“These truly are the best of times and could be the worst of times for American wind power,” said AWEA Chief Executive Denise Bode. “This month we shattered the 50-gigawatt mark, and we’re on pace for one of our best years ever in terms of megawatts installed. But because of the uncertainty surrounding the extension of the Production Tax Credit, incoming orders are grinding to a halt.”
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