CLIMATE CENTRAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF: WIND ENERGY

The document outlines the current state and future potential of onshore and offshore wind energy in the U.S. It details the economic benefits, including job growth and rural revenue, while addressing environmental impacts on wildlife. It specifically highlights the 'high electrification' scenario from Net-Zero America, projecting significant capacity increases and employment growth by 2050, particularly in states like Texas and the Midwest.

• Wind energy currently provides 8.4% of utility-scale electricity in the U.S. and is considered a critical tool for reaching domestic net-zero emissions by 2050 when combined with other clean technologies.
• The wind energy sector is a significant source of employment, with 117,000 Americans currently employed. Under a net-zero scenario, this could grow to nearly 1.1 million workers by 2050.
• Onshore wind provides substantial economic support to rural areas through lease payments and taxes. For example, in Lincoln County, CO, wind project taxes of $1.8 million annually represent 42% of the county's tax base.
• The U.S. has significant untapped offshore wind potential, with estimates suggesting the country could produce over 7,200 terawatt-hours of electricity per year from this source.
• While wind turbines cause bird and bat fatalities—estimated between 140,000 and 500,000 birds annually—this is significantly lower than deaths caused by buildings (100 million to 1 billion) or cars (60 million or more).
• Under the Net-Zero America 'high electrification' scenario, Texas is projected to be the largest producer of wind energy by 2050 with over 180 gigawatts installed, while New Jersey is projected to lead in offshore capacity with 39,330 MW.

APA

Climate Central (2021). CLIMATE CENTRAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF: WIND ENERGY. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/EXWswSXyXsAoGqHUbFHT4/f69a6f8e55fbd044a00aa6a408a5ad0d/Climate_Central_Solutions_Brief_Wind_Energy.pdf

Chicago

Climate Central. CLIMATE CENTRAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF: WIND ENERGY. 2021. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/EXWswSXyXsAoGqHUbFHT4/f69a6f8e55fbd044a00aa6a408a5ad0d/Climate_Central_Solutions_Brief_Wind_Energy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=CLIMATE CENTRAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF: WIND ENERGY |date=19 May 2021 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/EXWswSXyXsAoGqHUbFHT4/f69a6f8e55fbd044a00aa6a408a5ad0d/Climate_Central_Solutions_Brief_Wind_Energy.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2021climate, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{CLIMATE CENTRAL SOLUTIONS BRIEF: WIND ENERGY}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/EXWswSXyXsAoGqHUbFHT4/f69a6f8e55fbd044a00aa6a408a5ad0d/Climate_Central_Solutions_Brief_Wind_Energy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }