A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy shows a wind industry making large, positive strides in the country's energy market.
David Roberts details the findings of the annual Wind Technologies Market Report, recently released by the US Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL).
"With 73,992 MW, the US is now the No. 2 country in the world in installed wind capacity (after China, which has a mind-boggling 145,053 MW). And we are No. 1 in actual wind electricity generated," writes Roberts.
Despite the good news, the United States still has a long way to go for wind power to represent a majority, or even a plurality, of the energy market. "All that wind only provides about 5.6 percent of US electricity, though, which puts us well behind leaders like Denmark (40 percent), Portugal, Ireland, and Spain (between 20 and 30 percent)," notes Roberts.
Roberts also examines three themes for the good news for the wind industry, with a lot more detail on each:
- Wind power is getting cheaper
- Wind turbines are getting better
- Wind installations are blowing up
For more on the changing landscape of U.S. energy production, see also recent articles about the growing impacts of natural gas and the diminishing footprint of coal.
FULL STORY: Bigger, better, cheaper: wind power is flourishing in the US
Of 11 Offshore Wind Energy Farms in the World, Only One Is in the U.S.
Though the United States is lagging other parts of the world in offshore wind energy capacity, that trend could be set to change in the coming decade.
First West Coast LNG Export Facility Gets Critical Federal OK
On Sept. 30, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the final environmental impact statement for a contentious $7.5 billion Liquefied Natural Gas export facility, pipeline, and power plant in Coos Bay, Ore. More approvals are still needed.
West Coast’s First Offshore Wind Energy Coming to Oregon
The West Coast’s first offshore wind project will use floating turbine technology not found in North America. The 5-turbine project near Coos Bay in Oregon is the first offshore wind energy for the West Coast.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
Berkeley Approves ‘Middle Housing’ Ordinance
The city that invented single-family zoning is finally reckoning with its history of exclusion.
SEPTA Budget Slashes Service by 45 Percent
The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.
Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill
Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)