Governor Rendell Touts New Report Ranking PA 2nd Nationally in Wind Energy
Growth
PA's Wind Generation Capacity Increased Nearly 30 Percent in Third Quarter of
2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A national report ranks
Pennsylvania's growth in wind energy generation as the second-most of any
state in the third quarter of 2008, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.
The report by the American Wind Energy Association, or AWEA, shows
Pennsylvania continues to be a national leader in building a clean energy
economy and in creating green collar jobs -- two of Governor Rendell's
strongest priorities.
"This is the second consecutive quarter that Pennsylvania has been ranked
second in the nation for our growth in this industry," said Governor Rendell.
"We have worked hard to encourage the growth of clean, homegrown energy
resources and our efforts have paid off by creating new jobs, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and curbing our reliance on foreign sources of fuel."
Pennsylvania saw a 29 percent increase in wind energy generation between July
and September last year, bringing capacity to 595 megawatts, or enough
electricity to power 178,500 homes.
The new wind capacity was created by the completion of two major wind projects
-- the 70-megawatt North Allegheny development in Cambria and Blair counties
and the 62.5-megawatt Highland Wind Project in Cambria County.
The Governor added that as many as 500 Pennsylvanians are building more wind
farms that are expected to begin production by the end of 2009.
"The amount of wind energy being produced in Pennsylvania, and nationally,
prevents a lot of pollution that harms the public's health, including more
than a million tons of carbon that would otherwise go into the atmosphere and
trap heat," Governor Rendell continued. "Pennsylvania is far ahead of most
states in developing green energy and green jobs that protect our environment
and build our economy."
AWEA's report found the total wind power capacity now operating in the U.S. is
more than 31,000 megawatts, generating enough electricity to power the
equivalent of nearly 9 million homes and avoid 57 million tons of carbon
emissions annually. The wind energy is expected to reduce carbon emissions
from the electricity sector by 2.5 percent.
The full report is available on the AWEA website at
http://www.awea.org/publications/reports/3Q09.pdf.
For more information on Pennsylvania's efforts to combat climate change and
encourage the development of clean energy, visit www.dep.state.pa.us,
keywords: climate change or alternative energy.
Media Contacts:
Teresa Candori, DEP; 717-787-1323
Michael Smith, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Teresa Candori of DEP, +1-717-787-1323; or Michael Smith of the Governor's
Office, +1-717-783-1116
