Report Favors Wind Turbines

By: Jill Cordes
By: Jill Cordes

Wind turbines off the East Coast could make enough electricity to replace most coal-fired power plants in the US. This now from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

A report from the National Renewable Energy Lab shows total wind potential for the Atlantic region is over 1000 gigawatts. If we could tap this entire resource, we could generate enough clean, carbon-free electricity to supply ¾ of the nation’s electricity demand.

The nation’s best wind power resources are located off the New England and Mid-Atlantic coasts, in the Great Lakes, and in deep waters off the Pacific Coast. However, the mid-Atlantic region currently holds the greatest promise for offshore wind development because modern turbines are designed for shallow waters.

In April, the Interior cleared the way for the first offshore wind turbines to be erected along the Atlantic Coast. The new rules show the administration's commitment to develop alternative energy resources and avoid the need for additional offshore drilling for oil and gas. is happy to provide a forum for commenting and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules:


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