Wind Association Touts Environmental Benefits in Colorado

The American Wind Energy Association on Monday touted the findings of a recent report that highlights the health and environmental benefits of wind power in Colorado and called again for a renewal of the Production Tax Credit for wind energy. Here are the details.

* The report, entitled Cool Breeze: Less Pollution and More Water Savings from Wind Energy in Colorado, was recently released by the group Environment Colorado during a press conference at National Jewish Health. National Jewish Health is a Denver-based hospital that specializes in respiratory and heart ailments, the American Wind Energy Association noted.

* According to the report, the production of wind energy in Colorado grew from zero to 4.7 million MWh between the years of 2000 and 2011. Nearly 10 percent of the state's electricity now comes from wind, Environment Colorado stated.

* Environment Colorado reported that wind energy has saved billions of gallons of water and more than 1,700 metric tons of sulfur dioxide emissions, 3,680 tons of nitrogen oxides and 2.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

* The report found that, if Colorado continues to develop wind energy through 2016 at a comparable pace to that of recent years, the state will reduce global warming pollution by an additional 2,329,022 metric tons by 2016 -- the equivalent of more than 450,000 passenger vehicles.

* The wind development could also save nearly 900 million more gallons of water by 2016, Environment Colorado noted.

* Environment Colorado reported that the state's progress on wind development was aided by a strong renewable energy standard that requires investor owned utilities to provide 30 percent of their power from renewable energy by 2020. The group said the Production Tax Credit, set to expire at year's end, has also helped with wind development.

* According to the American Wind Energy Association, a House bill seeking extension of the Production Tax Credit has 110 cosponsors, including 25 Republicans. A similar Senate bill is cosponsored by seven senators, including three Republicans.

* A coalition of more than 370 members, including the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Western Governor's Association also support the extension, as does the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Governors Association, the American Wind Energy Association reported.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wind-association-touts-environmental-benefits-colorado-231300446.html

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