Although Wind Power Accounted For About 1%

Although wind power accounted for about one-tenth of 1 percent of total U.S. electric power generation capacity in 2002, it had quadrupled in generating capacity between 1990 and 2003, and has been growing at a much higher rate than other sources of electric power generation. Nevertheless, wind power's potential remains largely untapped. A number of factors, including limited transmission capacity and the higher capital start-up costs of wind power compared with fossil fuels in some markets, hamper wind power's expansion, although other factors, such as federal and state financial incentives, have helped spur expansion.

Although wind power accounted for about one-tenth of 1 percent of total U.S. electric power generation capacity in 2002, it had quadrupled in generating capacity between 1990 and 2003, and has been growing at a much higher rate than other sources of electric power generation. Nevertheless, wind power's potential remains largely untapped. A number of factors, including limited transmission capacity and the higher capital start-up costs of wind power compared with fossil fuels in some markets, hamper wind power's expansion, although other factors, such as federal and state financial incentives, have helped spur expansion.

EPA promotes the use of wind power and other renewable sources of electricity-collectively known as green power-through its Green Power Partnership Program. Specifically, EPA provides technical assistance and public recognition to companies and organizations that make a commitment to using green power for a portion of their electricity needs. More than 200 companies, including a number of major corporations, participate in this program. In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's community development block grants have been used to assist municipal-owned utilities to purchase wind turbines. For example, in Iowa, three cities received community development block grant funds in either fiscal year 2002 or fiscal year 2003 to erect wind turbines for energy generation; these grants totaled about $1 million. Furthermore, as discussed later in this report, USDA has several programs that can be used to provide financial assistance for renewable energy projects on farms or other rural lands.