Why Is Wind Energy Not To Be Blown Away

Wind Energy: Not to Be Blown Away If you have ever traveled from Sacramento to Livermore, California, you cannot help but notice the giant wind turbines that are placed among the hills that are multiple stories high. I have always wondered how beneficial these wind turbines are, and what possible effects does it have on our economy and environment. In an article by the New York Times written by Diane Cardwell, she explains that in 2008 – 2009 the wind industry employed 85,000 people and 10,000 of those jobs have disappeared since, and with continued layoffs on the horizon (Cardwell). Cardwell also discusses that wind energy is not cost effective and the parts are heavy and expensive to transport, and that the federal tax credit for wind

“But wind is only a little more expensive than [natural] gas, and once we put in the carbon price, it’ll raise the price of gas and make it comparable with wind” (Clemmitt). Wind is also a source that won’t run out and can effectively produce a large amount of power with little wind activity, and were only increasing that output as we make further advancements. In the long-run the cost to produce wind energy will come down as it also doesn’t use a fuel source. Environmental and health cost aren’t included in these cost analysis made against wind energy, if such figures would be taken into account, then wind energy would have no competition—radiation, acid rain, greenhouse gasses,

We need to fund these projects that show great promise to ensure that we gain security in our energy goals. We need to think on a larger scale: we won’t have endless fossil fuels to support our energy needs for much longer. There is a finite amount of resources we can use to turn them into usable energy. Alternative energy isn’t limited by that, unless the sun implodes and the earth ceases to have an atmosphere. These carbon fuels are also are destroying our environment. While wind energy may not be the end all solution to energy security, but it’s a step in the right direction. The energy provided may not be as large as the carbon-based energy, but in time, it can be, and the long-term effects it causes isn’t worth the trade-off. If we are to use this carbon-based fuel effectively, it’s by using it to find means of replacing