The American Wind Energy Association (awea) is looking for wind power to continue be one of the fastest growing segments of new energy production in 2009, and Barack Obama’s push to double alternative energy production in the next 3 years as part of his economic stimulus plan can only help.
Wind power provided 35% of new power generating capacity (second to natural gas) in 2007 and will probably do so again when the stats for 2008 are tabulated.
Backed by a Democratic Congress the incoming Obama administration can be expected to: push alternative energy incentives and tax credits for both consumers and manufacturers, meet renewable energy as a percentage of total U.S. electric power generation (10% by 2012 and 25% by 2025), and fast-track a new national power grid. The implementation of a national Renewable Energy Standard (RES), which many states are adopting, can also be expected to fast track wind and solar energy projects.
Other changes and innovations expected or hoped for in 2009: an increase in community-based wind projects, standardized small wind standards, an increase in federal consumer tax credits (currently capped at 30% for 100kW), and increased support for wind power as part of our overall transition away from dirty-coal power generation to greener alternative energy sources.
Now about finding the cash for all this…
other sources: businesswire
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