New Report: Wind Energy Yields Major Environmental Benefits for Minnesota; Reducing Pollution and Saving Water

Environment Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota – Wind energy is on the rise in Minnesota and is providing huge environmental benefits for the state, according to a new report released today by Environment Minnesota. Minnesota’s wind energy is already avoiding more than 4.5 million metric tons of climate-altering carbon pollution – the equivalent of taking almost 950,000 cars off the road, while saving over 2 billion gallons of water per year – enough to meet the needs of over 80,000 people.

Minnesota ranks 6th in the nation for total wind production, with over 7.5 million MWh of wind energy generated in 2012. This is thanks in large part to a policy passed by state leaders in 2007 requiring 25 percent clean energy by 2025. Minnesota is already over halfway to that goal, with almost 15 percent of the state’s total electricity coming from wind generators in 2012. The state is on track to add an additional 7 million MWh of wind by 2018, with a possibility for more if state leaders increase Minnesota’s renewable energy standard.

Thanks to its current and future benefits, wind power is a key component of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan to reduce the carbon pollution fueling global warming 17 percent by 2020. The plan calls for an expansion of renewable energy, investment in energy efficiency, and the first-ever federal limits on carbon pollution from power plants.

“Wind energy has given us a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving,” said Hanna Terwilliger of Environment Minnesota. “Now our state and national leaders need to take action to make sure we don’t leave this spread of environmental benefits on the table.”

The report, Wind Energy for a Cleaner America, also shows that today’s wind energy in Minnesota avoids 4,280 tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxides and 5,287 tons of sulfur dioxide, which cause acid rain and soot.
 
“Wind power has become an important part of Minnesota’s economy,” said Senator John Marty, “Additional wind energy is essential to addressing climate change and other environmental challenges. Equally important, it is a wise investment in jobs and small businesses across the state. We have made great progress, but have even greater potential ahead.” Senator Marty is the chair of the Environment and Energy Committee in the Minnesota Senate.

The report shows that wind energy is now providing 7.5 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in Minnesota, equal to almost 15 percent of the state’s electricity, and Minnesota could be on track to see almost a 50 percent increase in wind production in the next five years. If state and federal officials commit to continued progress, Minnesota could reduce the carbon pollution equivalent of more than 775,000 passenger vehicles, and save enough water to meet the annual water needs of nearly 77,000 people.

“The future of sustainable energy depends on small businesses,” said Tom Vogel of Seward Community Co-Op. “Local business owners make up a large part of the American economy, and the environmentally conscious decisions they make about their future, will let politicians, large industry, and electric utilities know that renewable energy is the right choice. Small businesses — like consumer-owned cooperatives — are a key piece of our renewable energy future.”

Minnesota’s recent progress on wind is the direct result of the state renewable energy standard – and federal incentives for wind power. Despite the clear benefits of wind and widespread bipartisan support for federal policies to promote renewable energy, fossil fuel interests and their political allies have vigorously opposed these initiatives.

The main federal incentives for wind – the investment tax credit (ITC) and the production tax credit (PTC) – are currently set to expire at the end of 2013.

“Wind energy is improving our quality of life in Minnesota,” said Terwilliger. “We cannot let polluters and their allies stand in the way of additional benefits of wind. Environment Minnesota looks forward to working with Senator Marty, Governor Dayton, and other state leaders to expand Minnesota’s renewable energy standard, and Minnesota’s congressional delegation needs to do whatever it takes to extend federal wind incentives before the end of the year.”