Wind Power

Wind power is the process of converting wind into energy using wind turbines. Still considered by some to be in its infancy, wind power is responsible for only 1% of global energy consumption.http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/wind-power/ According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, wind energy is a clean, sustainable way to produce electricity.http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-wind-energy-works.html

As early as 1870 wind energy has been used in the United States to power the movement of water. The energy crisis in the 1970's helped to create a renewed interest in the power of wind. In 2008 the United States installed enough wind turbines to power well over 2 million average American homes.http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-wind-energy-works.html

Proponents say that it is renewable, clean and far less harmful to the environment than most current forms of electricity generation. They also say it will reduce dependence on foreign power sources.CNN.com: Oil Billionaire Pickens Puts His Money on Wind Power (July 8, 2008) Many also mention that because wind power does not use fuel, the price of the power does not depend on political or similar economical factors.DailyPress.com: Energy-generating independence (July 4, 2008)

Wind power does not contribute to global warming as some of its competitors have been accused of doing. It is a clean, natural energy source that does not produce any sort of toxin.http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-wind-energy-works.html

Opponents argue that the best areas for wind power generation are far away from the areas which need the power, that wind is intermittent and unreliable, and the technologies that convert wind into electricity are too expensive to be worthwhile. Furthermore, many say the turbines can kill birds and that the windmills to be an eyesore.AEWO.org: A Problem With Wind Power

In a study release in April 2009, research showed that rising use of wind and solar power would pose a challenge to the U.S. grid system. Much of the grid system has to be altered in order for electricity to flow continually.Reuters: Growing wind, solar power challenge U.S. grid (April 16, 2009)