THE WORK IN WIND

Wind power creates more wages
Edward C. Gates, November 16, 2010 (Biofuels Watch)

"The US Bureau of the Labor Statistics said that US wind-generating capacity increased by 39% from 2004-2009…[F]uture expansion means that number of jobs is expected to grow…providing many opportunities for…workers…in search of new careers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics said all these careers will extend past the wind farm and it also reduces the efforts of workers in the factories and offices to make and run the turbine.

"…[Wind was around 1.8 percent of the nation’s energy production in 2009. The US Department of Energy says that it is not out of question for the wind power by the year 2030 to produce 20 percent of energy required by the US…[C]urrently around 85,000 Americans work in the wind and its related industries. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics said most of those who are tied to wind farms…"

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"…Texas, California and Iowa …are leaders…[but] states such as Washington, Illinois, Indiana and Oregon are starting to do more…[M]ost of the jobs are in manufacturing and construction…[Operations and maintenance jobs follow]. A wind turbine [is 300 feet tall and] includes around 8,000 parts [from blades, tower and nacelle to gears and electronic sensors]…People have to [make, build,] operate and maintain all of it.

"…[More] people including folks in related to industries [will be] required for efforts as…wind production work increases. It [is not right] to permit China to [claim wind technology and capacity leadership] when [the] US has all the capability right here at home…[T]his is [an] industry where…jobs can originate…"