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Wind energy has promise, but carries risks, reports study mongabay.com May 3, 2007 While wind-generated energy has the potential to produce clean electricity without carbon dioxide emissions, more research is needed to understand its impact on wildlife says a new report from the National Research Council, a private, nonprofit institution that provides science and technology advice under a congressional charter. The study, which focuses narrowly on wind energy in the mid-Atlantic highlands of West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, reports that wind-generated power is growing rapidly in the United States but still represents less than one percent of national electricity generation. By 2020 the committee expects wind energy to offset about 4.5 of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be emitted by electricity generation.
The report did not evaluate offshore wind farms. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that capital spending on new wind projects in the U.S. rose from $420 million in 2004 to $3.65 billion in 2006. Conventional energy firms, notably Royal Dutch Shell Group and BP, have shown interest in wind power. The report is available at . Related articles Obama may bring leadership, rather than obstruction, to climate change talks (11/6/2008) The election of Barack Obama as president of the United States may bring a new era of U.S. leadership on climate. U.S. Congress passes legislation to boost solar, wind, and geothermal energy (9/24/2008) Tuesday the U.S. Senate passed a bill that will extend tax credits on solar power installations through 2016. The House approved the measure Wednesday. How do wind turbines kill bats? (8/25/2008) Numerous studies have shown that migratory bats are undergoing large fatalities due to wind turbines. Far more bats die due to wind turbines than birds, though they generally receive less attention. Now, researchers writing in Current Biology believe they know why bats are more susceptible to wind turbine fatalities. Electric cars, greener fuels can reduce Australia's dependence on foreign oil (7/23/2008) Australia can reduce its dependence on foreign oil through renewable energy and a shift towards electric cars powered by solar and wind power, argues a report published today by Australia's National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA). Gore launches second campaign... for Earth (7/17/2008) In a speech Thursday, Al Gore challenged the U.S. to generate 100 percent of its electricity from zero carbon emission sources within 10 years. Speaking at Washington's Constitution Hall, Gore said America's security, environmental and economic crises are all related, and that measures to rein in greenhouse gas emissions will make the U.S. stronger, safer, and cleaner. "The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk," Gore said. "I don't remember a time in our country when so many things seemed to be going so wrong simultaneously." Comments? News options News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! |
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