The American Wind Energy Association says the U.S. wind industry broke all previous records in 2009 by installing nearly 10,000 megawatts of new generating capacity. That's enough to serve more than 2.4 million homes. Still the association says in its 4th quarter report this level still lags in manufacturing and investment. The new projects place wind power neck and neck with natural gas as the leading source of new electricity generation for the country.
Together, wind power and natural gas account for about 80% of the new capacity added in the U.S. last year. But AWEA officials say the ongoing lack of a long-term policy and market signal resulted in a drop in investment in the manufacturing sector, compared to 2008, with one-third fewer wind power manufacturing facilities online, announced and expanded in 2009.
Industry officials say production tax credit incentives provided in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act earlier this year must be supplemented with a national Renewable Electricity Standard.
Powered by iNet Solutions Group ©2011 All Rights Reserved.