Wind-power potential lauded

The trade group American Wind Energy Association affirms that wind power is a natural fit for Michigan's natural and human resources.

Projects across the state already generate more than 143 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power some 40,000 homes, according to the Association. Another 20 megawatts are already under construction, and a total of more than 2,500 megawatts of capacity are reportedly being planned. Michigan ranks 26th among states for current capacity, and 14th in potential capacity.
That potential stems both from Michigan's natural resources -- particularly offshore along the west coast of the Lower Peninsula.


The AWEA's new annual report says many of Michigan workers' skills "easily transfer to wind energy manufacturing, providing thousands of new jobs and spurring billions in investment.” It's estimated that wind power initiatives currently support more than 3,000 jobs in Michigan, with growth coming as more state manufacturers enter the market to support projects nationwide.


And just how big is that nationwide potential? Far from a pipedream of tree-huggers, the AWEA annual report shows wind power is a serious, and growing, business:


•All 50 states have jobs in the wind industry.
•Approximately 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today and hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, transportation and logistical services, and more.
•To ensure a skilled workforce across the wind energy industry, 205 educational programs now offer a certificate, degree, or coursework related to wind energy. Of these 205 programs, the largest segments are university and college programs (45%) and community colleges or technical school programs (43%).
•Despite the economic downturn, the demand for small wind systems for residential and small business use (rated capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating capacity to the nation. Seven small wind turbine manufacturing facilities were opened, announced or expanded in 2009.


"Jobs, business opportunities, clean air, energy security—wind power is delivering today on all those fronts for Americans," said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. "Our annual report documents an industry hard at work and on the verge of explosive growth if the right policies—including a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) -- are put in place. A national RES will provide the long-term certainty that businesses need to invest tens of billions of dollars in new installations and manufacturing facilities which would create hundreds of thousands of American jobs."