7 ways “Wind Vision” would benefit Americans

The White House and Department of Energy have just released a definitive new report showing that wind can be one of America’s top electricity sources, while saving consumers money. After two years of research and peer review, the report found that the wind industry can double in the next five years, provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030, and 35 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050. American Wind Energy Association CEO Tom Kiernan stated, “We can do this and save you money by doing it.” In fact, that is only one of the benefits that fulfilling this “Wind Vision” report would have.

Here are 7 benefits of meeting the “Wind Vision”

1. Consumer savings: Consumers will see direct savings as wind technology continues to improve and fossil fuel energy sources become more expensive, with annual consumer savings reaching $14 billion a year by 2050, and cumulative savings on U.S. electric bills amounting to $149 billion by then.

2. Jobs: The wind industry currently employs more than 50,000 people in the U.S., with a manufacturing supply chain of more than 500 factories across 43 states. By providing 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2030, wind energy would support 380,000 well-paying jobs. By 2050, wind energy would support 600,000 well-paying jobs.

3. Tax payments to local communities: By providing 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2030, wind energy would provide nearly $1.8 billion a year in tax payments to communities. By 2050, wind energy would provide nearly $3.2 billion a year in tax payments to communities.

4. Climate change costs avoided: Wind energy has already cut electric sector carbon emissions by over 5 percent; those emissions will fall by an additional 16 percent by 2030 as wind increases from 4.5 percent of our electricity mix to 20 percent. Cumulatively through 2050, wind’s pollution reductions would avoid $400 billion in climate change damages.

5. Lives saved: Wind would save an additional $108 billion in public health costs by cutting other air pollutants, including preventing 22,000 premature deaths. 

6. Water savings: Wind would conserve 260 billion gallons of water a year by 2050, displacing 23 percent of total U.S. power plant water consumption.

7. Landowner benefits: By providing 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2030, wind energy would provide $650 million in annual lease payments to landowners. By 2050, wind energy would provide $1 billion in annual lease payments to landowners.