Wind Power Information Center

Wind power, also called wind energy, describes the creation of electric power using naturally occurring air flows to generate mechanical energy. This energy transfer is achieved using wind turbines, which use large rotary blades to activate an internal gearbox that accelerates rotation speed, which in turn spins an electricity-producing generator.

Wind energy is a sustainable power source that employs more than 120,000 people throughout the U.S. It generates 20 percent of the electricity used across six states. It is estimated that wind energy prevented the release of nearly 200 million metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2019, and it reduces water consumption by over 100 billion gallons every year.

Forest Founders strives to help consumers reduce their carbon footprints and live cleaner, greener, more environmentally aware lives. Here are a few wind power resources that should help you understand and appreciate the power of the wind.

• Private investment in renewable energy sources is largely dictated by tax policy. This article from the American Wind Energy Association discusses the Production Tax Credit and how it helped create jobs in the wind energy sector across the United States. https://www.awea.org/policy-and-issues/tax-policy
• This article from Green Tech Media outlines the clean energy tax extensions, and how wind energy was the only clean energy source that was able to extend eligibility for production tax credits for an additional year. Projects qualified in 2020 will receive a production tax credit of 60 percent if the projects are realized by 2024. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/u-s-lawmakers-hand-clean-energy-tax-credits-a-loss-though-wind-gets-a-win
• WindExchange is an online resource from the U.S. Department of Energy that offers the latest information on technological innovations, impact studies, policies, and project development within the wind energy sector. The information is designed to help regions considering adopting wind energy navigate the process successfully. https://windexchange.energy.gov/
• The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is a wind power advocacy and trade organization that promotes wind power as a clean and renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels. The AWEA has been a Washington D.C.-based organization for more than 40 years, representing all wind energy stakeholders, from service providers and equipment suppliers to scientists and researchers. https://www.awea.org/
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration is an agency dedicated to gathering and evaluating energy-focused research and innovations to better inform and develop public policy and increase awareness of the intersection of energy, the environment, and the economy. This site provides information resources for people seeking a better understanding of energy – there’s even a kids’ learning portal! https://www.eia.gov/
• If you’re interested in arguments against wind power, National Wind Watch is an interest group that works against the development of wind energy technologies. The platform gathers articles across the internet that disapprove of large-scale wind power adoption. Though the website looks nearly 20 years old, the information collected is current. https://www.wind-watch.org/
• Windpower Engineering & Development is a trade publication that offers the latest information about wind technology for professionals within the wind energy, including developers, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, and researchers of wind farm supplies and technology. Learn more about the different issues that affect people who work in the wind energy sector. https://www.windpowerengineering.com/