20% Wind by 2030
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Wind power can make a substantial contribution to the future energy needs of the United States. In May of 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy released the groundbreaking report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030, which outlined how we can achieve this goal. The report included an examination of America’s technological and manufacturing capabilities, the future costs of energy sources, U.S. wind energy resources, and the environmental and economic impacts of wind development.
Achieving the goal of 20% wind power by 2030 would:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent in 2030;
- Reduce natural gas use by 11%;
- Reduce water consumption from electricity generation by 4 trillion gallons; and
- Support roughly 500,000 jobs in the U.S.
“Though economic and other factors will ultimately determine our energy future, we believe the 20 percent wind scenario is feasible, but only with a major national transmission highway system. Delivering power from the best windy regions (the Dakotas, Kansas and Texas) to the growing urban demand requires a bigger, stronger transmission system,” said Mike Heyeck, Senior VP at AEP Transmission.