by Daniel J. Gansle

Created on: June 11, 2008

As President Bush communicated during his April 29, 2008 press conference, we are in a transition period: that is, the end of the age of oil is giving way to the beginning of the renewable energy age. But exactly what types of renewable energy are currently on the table?

Among the best sources of alternative energy today are solar and tidal stream. These are clean renewables that don't emit greenhouse gases. Biofuels are not favored because of their propensity to drive up the cost of food worldwide and cause an equal (if not greater) amount of greenhouse gas emissions; thus they are strictly a short-term solution. Hydrogen is gaining popularity, but due to issues of technology, pricing, and infrastructure, it hasn't been commercialized yet. However, another viable energy source has blown into town, and it may very well take the top spot in today's search for clean renewable energy.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) program, the Wind Powering America (WPA) initiative was launched in 2000 as "a commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States. This initiative will establish new sources of income for American farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners, and meet the growing demand for clean sources of electricity."(1) The initiative's four main goals include regional economic development, local environmental protection, increase in energy production and national security, and using wind power as an essential element of America's energy mix.

Since its inception, WPA has seen wind energy capacity increase fivefold from 2,500 megawatts (MW) to greater than 16,000 MW by 2007. 17 states now have more than 100 MW installed. In fact, the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center just outside the West Texas town of Abilene is the world's largest wind farm and boasts a whopping 735.5 MW capacity. This enormous enterprise covers approximately 47,000 acres and is comprised of 130 Siemens 2.3 MW and 291 General Electric 1.5 MW wind turbines.

Wind Powering America focuses on six key areas to increase the production of wind energy:

Rural Economic Development
Focuses on bolstering local economies in agricultural areas including job creation and economic stimulus through wind energy.

Wind Power for Schools
Educates and promotes wind energy to schools and universities.

Wind power for Native Americans
Promotes wind energy production on Native American reservations leading to increased revenue and energy

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