The Midwest has provided leadership in developing wind energy incentives to ensure that more clean, renewable power is integrated into our energy mix. Our transmission system could utilize up to 20 percent of its electricity from wind. Most of that growth will come from wind power plants, which are large arrays of turbines run by wind companies, but significant contributions can be made by small clusters of turbines or even single turbines, operated by local landowners and small businesses. Economic Advantages of Wind Energy Developing local sources to meet our energy needs means that we import less fuel from other states, regions, and nations. That means our energy dollars are plowed back into the local economy.
Wind energy can also help diversify the economies of rural communities.
Wind energy is a hedge for the future as our traditional fossils fuels become more scarce and public policies assign environmental costs to sources of pollution. Most people are aware that burning coal releases harmful particulate emissions that cause breathing problems and asthma, and that it releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. Coal is also one of the primary contributors of the carbon dioxide that causes global warming and mercury contamination of our lakes and fish. Natural gas is a better option than coal, but it still produces considerable air pollution and contributes to global warming. Nuclear energy produces no particulate emissions, but it creates dangerous radioactive wastes which will require thousands of years of careful storage.