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Wind power is one of the most promising forms of renewable energy today. Recently I had the opportunity to stand next to a gigantic 50 megawatt wind turbine, and the experience was amazing. As I gazed up into the deep blue Texas sky and watched the turbine spin intermittently in the gusty wind, the whirring and humming was unmistakable. Walking around the wide base, I inspected the large electrical generation box on the side. It was such an amazing feeling to know that at this very moment, clean, renewable energy was being produced from the cool breezes all around me.

Here in Texas, wind power is quickly becoming the new oil boom. Dozens of expansive wind farms boasting up to 500 wind turbines are increasingly cropping up all over the state. West Texas is particularly favored as a prime wind energy locale due to its near-constant 17 mile per hour wind speeds. But moreover, wind power is one of the most eco-friendly forms of renewable energy today.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, "Wind energy system operations do not generate air or water emissions and do not produce hazardous waste. Nor do they deplete natural resources such as coal, oil, or gas, or cause environmental damage through resource extraction and transportation, or require significant amounts of water during operation. Wind's pollution-free electricity can help reduce the environmental damage caused by power generation in the U.S. and worldwide."(1)

Indeed, wind energy sounds like a perfect source of renewable energy. But as in all forms of energy production, fossil fuel or renewable, some impact on the environment is felt. The American Wind Energy Association cites mainly local impacts including avian (bird and bat) deaths and erosion. However, with careful planning these impacts can be minimized.

Wind power is growing in popularity as a clean, eco-friendly renewable. The ecological impact on surrounding areas is minimal, and adding this important renewable to our current energy mix will help America decrease reliance on finite, often volatile, energy derived from fossil fuels.

Source Notes:
1) http://www.awea.org/ faq/wwt_environment.html

Learn more about this author, Daniel J. Gansle.
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