US: Wind Industry Offers 'No Regrets' Option for the Clean Power Plan

Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Clean Power Plan rule that will limit the amount of carbon dioxide pollution that can be emitted from existing power plants by 2030. Wind energy remains the biggest, fastest, cheapest way states and utilities can comply with the Clean Power Plan.

"The Clean Power Plan presents the largest demand driver for wind for the next decade," said Wind on the Wires Public Policy Manager Kevin Borgia.  The Energy Information Administration (EIA) studied a range of options for complying with the Clean Power Plan, and wind energy was consistently the lowest-cost option. In fact, wind can generate up to 57 percent of the needed clean power under the EIA's most cost-effective scenario. "Utilities can do this. The Clean Power Plan is merely a practical approach to accelerating a trend that is already taking place.  And, the Midwest, with its vast cost-competitive wind resources, is uniquely suited to answer this even higher call for renewables outlined in the final rule today," said Borgia. 

Wind energy has been great for Illinois, and the state's existing 3,667 megawatts of wind generation represent more than a $6 billion investment in the local economy. Wind provides more than $13 million in annual landowner payments, over $28 million in local property taxes, and creates 3,400 direct and indirect jobs.

The use of wind energy directly correlates to reduced emissions. Because of wind energy's low operating cost (and zero emissions) it is often used to offset power plants with the highest operating costs, which are usually the least efficient fossil fuel-fired plants.   

"Illinois has a tremendous wind resource that can provide abundant clean electricity to the state," said Vanessa Tutos, Director of Government Affairs at EDP Renewables. "Wind energy will help Illinois reach its Clean Power Plan objectives, and that development will bring with it economic development, tax revenue, and well-paying jobs.  EDP Renewables is a proud owner and operator of wind energy in Illinois, and we look forward to the opportunity to invest in additional projects."

"Wind is a winner," said Borgia. "Our message for utilities in Illinois is: if you're not carving out a robust role for renewables, like wind, you're not choosing the lowest cost option."