DOE Says ’20% Wind Energy by 2030′ an Attainable Goal
The U.S. Department of Energy says current wind power technology is capable of powering 20 percent of the nation’s electricity. A DOE report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030,” finds an acceleration in the growth of wind power could reduce national consumption of natural gas by 11 percent and consumption of coal by 18 percent each year. The report states that this would mean a reduction of 825 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
“This is the equivalent of taking 140 million cars off the road,” said Randall Swisher, of the American Wind Energy Association.
“We can do this nationally for less than half a cent per kilowatt hour if we have the vision,” said Andrew Karsner, the DOE’s assistant secretary for efficiency and renewable energy.
According to the DOE’s report, the growth rate needed to reach 20% would pose challenges for the wind energy industry but is achievable. Already, the wind industry is attracting many new entrants — traditional utilities like Florida Power and Light, smaller wind developers and even big oil companies.
3 Comments »
DANIEL D MARTIN
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS OF THE YEAR SO FAR,SAVING THE PLANET ,OUR POCKETS AND HELPING ACHIEVE AMERICA ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
R Ristor
I open my comment with a challenge to get attention. This article appears to be another demonstration on American scientific illiteracy or lack of critical thinking or perhaps just plain miscommunication.
Each American car at about 22 mpg produces 5 tons of CO2 per year if driven about 12,000 miles. recall each gallon of gasoline produces 20 lbs of CO2. So each car produces 5.4 tons of CO2 per year.
What is the point ? 825 tons of CO2 per year is equivalent to 165 cars. Over 20 years is 3,300 cars.
I will venture that the article mean many more than 825 tons.
Parenthetically according to the NAS (National Academy of Sciences) ranking of the US of graduating high school students science scores- we have fallen from top placing in the top 5 to placing in the 15-20 from the top of developed nations (bottom 30% ).
Luke Anderson
I Believe this is a great leap for the world. Ive never been for the green theroy Untill I had my own children. The problem in america isnt the schools or the lack of information. I Believe its the Parents who do not stress enough on the issue. I work for a wind energy plant and I WILL NOT LET MY KIDS live in a world where I didnt try and make a difference
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