You can find the full report here.
The DOE’s new Wind Vision Report explores our nation’s potential to increase its energy production from wind power. According to the report, America’s wind power capacity has tripled since the 2008 release of the Energy Department’s 20% Wind Energy by 2030 report, making it more clear than ever that it will be possible for the U.S. to generate a significant portion of its power from land-based, offshore and distributed wind facilities by 2030.
The report outlines numerous benefits the U.S. will receive from increasing our domestic production of wind energy, including reduced pollution, increased domestic employment, consumer cost savings, water conservation, nationwide availability, and increased community revenues.
Report findings:
Wind energy is available nationwide. Wind can be a viable source of renewable electricity in all 50 states by 2050.
Wind supports a strong domestic job supply. Wind has the potential to support over 600,000 jobs in various aspects of the wind industry including manufacturing, installation, maintenance and supporting services by 2050.
Wind energy is affordable. As wind generation agreements typically provide 20 year fixed pricing, the electric utility sector is anticipated to be less sensitive to volatility in natural gas and coal fuel prices with more wind. By reducing national vulnerability to price spikes and supply disruptions with long-term pricing, wind is anticipated to save consumers $280 billion by 2050.
Wind reduces air pollution emissions. Wind energy can help avoid the emission of over 250,000 metric tons of air pollutants, which include sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, as well as 12.3 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases by 2050.
Wind preserves water resources. By 2050, wind energy can save 260 billion gallons of water – which equals out to 400,000 Olympic-size swimming pools- that would have been used by the electric power sector.
Wind increases community revenues. Local communities will be able to collect additional tax revenue from land lease payments and property taxes, reaching $3.2 billion annually by 2050.