The U.S. has reached 50 gigawatts of wind installations, enough to power nearly 13 million homes.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

LAS VEGAS, NEV., Aug. 7, 2012 – American wind power has blown through an historic milestone: 50 gigawatts of electric generating capacity, the American Wind Energy Association announced, just as Congress works to extend a critical federal policy and continue the growth of wind power in the United States.

Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, made the announcement today at the National Clean Energy Summit hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, and attended by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

The 50 gigawatts (GW) online today means that U.S. wind turbines now power the equivalent of nearly 13 million American homes, or as many as in Nevada, Colorado, Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama, and Connecticut combined. In addition, 50 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity:

· Represents the generating power of 44 coal-fired power plants, or 11 nuclear power plants.

· Avoids emitting as much carbon dioxide as taking 14 million cars off the road.

· Conserves 30 billion gallons of water a year compared to thermal electric generation, since wind energy uses virtually no water.

For an infographic on what 50 gigawatts looks like, see www.powerofwind.com.

"This milestone for wind-energy production marks continued success for this clean, renewable and domestically produced energy source," said Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), father of the Production Tax Credit that has helped Iowa become the state with the second most wind power in the nation. "Wind energy has exceeded expectations since I first authored the tax incentive, in 1992, and offers an ideal for expanded production and use of alternative energy sources in the future."

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Utility-scale wind farms are now located in 39 states, increasing the economic as well as environmental benefits around the country.

http://www.awea.org/...W_milestone.cfm

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That sound you hear is the sound of socialism creeping up on you while you celebrate these Eurofaggy looking windmills.

[X Factor 1,113]

That sound you hear is the sound of socialism creeping up on you while you celebrate these Eurofaggy looking windmills.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That sound you hear is the sound of socialism creeping up on you while you celebrate these Eurofaggy looking windmills.

Nukular.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

and Texas produces the most. Blowing EVERYONE way out of the fvcking park. #2 Iowa and #3 California combined don't even match up to Texas' wind turbines.

[justashooter 430]

notice the glaring lack of cost estimates comparison.

wind turbines sit erected for as much as 50 years before they produce enuf energy to pay for their construction costs. coal fired plants are in the black in 6-10. nuke plants even sooner, if built with modern tech. wind is just a huge gov't subsidy to no bid contractors.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

notice the glaring lack of cost estimates comparison.

wind turbines sit erected for as much as 50 years before they produce enuf energy to pay for their construction costs. coal fired plants are in the black in 6-10. nuke plants even sooner, if built with modern tech. wind is just a huge gov't subsidy to no bid contractors.

Really? You gotta tell that to the fine folks at Duke Energy. And their rate payers in FL. As it stands, customers here have and will continue to pay more than a billion dollars for the Crystal River nuclear plant that hasn't produced a watt of energy in about 3 years and from the looks of it probably never ever will produce a watt of energy again. It continues to cost, however. So, that's a billions of dollars for zero output. Same utility is trying to get the math right for another nuke plant and they just can't make it work.