Wind powered mega watt capacity grew in the U.S. by thirty nine percent from 2008 to 2009. The installation of new wind turbines added 9900 mega watts of new electrical generation for the U.S. in 2009; while the previous year brought on line 8400 new mega watts of capacity. 
The top three states that added the most mega watts were Texas with 2300 mega watts, Indiana with 905 mega watts, and Iowa with 879 mega watts. Total U.S. capacity is at 35,000 mega watts that provide electricity to 9.7 million homes. This only represents coverage for 1 percent of total U.S. electric output. Texas provides the most wind-generated electricity in the Union, reaching six percent of households in that state. U.S. employment figures shows that 85,000 jobs have been created by the wind powered industry. New job growth has plateau according to government figures. The Obama Administration has made green job creation a high priority, with the creation of sustainable energy jobs at the top of their list. One of the obstacles faced by the wind industry is the inability to transfer power from remote wind areas to the power grids. Greater public and private investment is needed to build these transmissions lines for wind-generated power to succeed in the long run. Remote areas that provide the highest levels of wind flow to power turbines are currently not able to bring that power to densely populated areas. U.S. government sources estimate that up to forty percent of U.S. electrical needs could be met by land based wind turbines. The current Administration needs to focus any future public investments on building the infrastructure to provide the necessary transmission lines and transfer stations. Private industry has shown that wind generated electricity is viable and points to a future of carbon free energy production.
Photo: Wind Farm in Palm Springs, CA By: John Vlahakis
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