Global Wind Day, June 15, celebrates clean, affordable, homegrown energy
Jun 14 2012
Every year on June 15 we celebrate Global Wind Day, a chance to reflect and be inspired by all that wind energy does for our world.
WASHINGTON—Every year on June 15 we celebrate Global Wind Day, a chance to reflect and be inspired by all that wind energy does for our world.
Wind farms now operate in more than 75 countries. Here in the United States, they power the equivalent of 15.5 million homes.
And wind energy is more affordable than ever: electric ratepayers in the MidAtlantic region, for example, will save $6.9 billion from the projected doubling of wind energy in their region (Source: Synapse Energy study of the PJM grid).
The American Wind Energy Association is marking Global Wind Day 2013 by hosting a model wind turbine-building contest from 10 to noon Friday in McPherson Square, near the White House.
We’re also circulating on social media the winning entries in our recent video contest on the theme of, “Why I Like Wind Power.” Madison Gas & Electric won the Grand Prize. See all the winners here.
Global Wind Day fun facts:
1.Did you know that 70% of U.S. Congressional Districts have a wind farm, a wind factory, or both? Be sure tolet your Member of Congress know what is happening in your district!
2.There are 45,100 wind turbines in operation today in the U.S. across 39 states and Puerto Rico, as part of 890 wind farms. Post a picture of your wind turbine encounters!
3.Operation Nation: If you consider a single “wind farm” to be a “power plant,” there are now more operating wind power plants in the U.S. than coal, oil, or nuclear power plants. Thank a wind technician for their dedication!
4.Get more facts on wind energy at the Global Wind Day website.
5.Utilities are buying wind energy to hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, and today over 43% of 3,250 electric utilities in the U.S. have wind energy in their generation mix.
6.The wind industry now has 550 manufacturing facilities in 44 states. Nearly 70% of the value of U.S. wind turbines is now made-in-the-U.S.A.
7.Wind now provides over 20 percent of the electricity year-round in Iowa and South Dakota, and hits peaks of over 55 percent of the electricity on Xcel Energy’s Colorado power system.
8. Wind energy just broke a new record on the main power grid in Texas, providing more than 35 percent of the electricity at one point in early 2013.