Is the U.S. wind energy industry growing?
Yes! Wind power is now one of the fastest growing sources of new power generation in the U.S., along with natural gas. The wind projects that came online in 2008 account for nearly 42% of the total power generating capacity added that year. In 2008, the new generating capacity installed in the U.S. represented a capital investment of almost $17 billion. The American wind industry has an exciting future. Researchers estimate that approximately 25% of the U.S. is suited for wind power production, and wind could supply 20% of the nation’s electricity by 2030. In 2006, U.S. wind power produced enough electricity to save more than 0.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
