The American Wind Energy Association noted in their 2008 Year End Review that the United States is #1 for wind energy production. We as of September 2008 produce more than 21,000 megawatts of electricity from wind turbines. AWEA’s news release is here. Given the Bush administration’s lack of interest in renewable energy and the almost expired tax credits for renewable energy, this is fairly amazing.
With President Elect Obama’s professed support for renewable energy and NJ’s goal of 30% of our electricity coming from renewable sources in our new energy master plan, I hope NJ and the rest of the Country can improve on this milestone. Given local opposition to the installation of wind turinbes in New Jersey I do have my doubts whether NJ will be a leader in wind energy. That opposition comes from towns and individuals seeking to ban wind turinbes or objecting to their installation. There is at least on bill in the legislature which would make it somewhat easier for a person or business to install wind turbines on their property but that bill cannot get a hearing in an Assembly committee and does not seem to be moving in the Senate either.
I have hopes, but I am not holding my breath. Hopefully 2009 brings better things.