(US) Wind industry cites year filled with accomplishments

[jpak]

http://www.washingtonenergy.com/articles/article/340/wind-industry-cites-year-filled-with-accomplishments

2008 was filled with milestones and accomplishments, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

AWEA noted that this year, the U.S. had passed Germany as the global leader in wind power. American wind generators also passed the 20,000 megawatt installed capacity mark in 2008, having doubled that figure from 10,000 in only two years. The AWEA pointed out that before that, it had taken two decades for the nation to reach the 10,000 megawatt landmark.

"Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20 percent of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030, as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy," said AWEA director Randall Swisher.

Assuming this goal is met by 2030, the organization says the wind industry would support 500,000 jobs, save four trillion gallons of water, and produce greenhouse gas cuts equivalent to taking 140 million automobiles off the road. Right now, there are said to be 60,000 employees of wind energy companies in the U.S., with 9,000 manufacturing jobs having been created during the first three months of 2008 alone.

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