Wind Power, National Security, and Sound Energy Policy

Wind-generated electricity in the United States has grown by more than 400 percent since 2000. According to the Department of Energy, 6 percent of US land could supply more than one and a half times the current electricity consumption of the country. Yet, challenges remain in matching demand for electricity with supply of wind as well as achieving grid parity. Careful wind turbine and transmission line siting can occur through cooperation between federal, state, tribal, and civil society participation in decision-making. Tribal wind initiatives have shown that developing wind power can also benefit rural communities. Congress should pass a national renewable energy standard of at least 20 percent renewable energy by 2020, guided by ongoing scientific understanding of measures required to avert severe climate change. A timely transition to wind-generated electricity and other environmentally sound technologies can achieve an effective and equitable US energy policy