Wind Power: A "No Regrets" Option to Help States Meet Clean Power Plan Requirements

Zero-emissions Wind Provides Reliable and Affordable Energy

ST. PAUL, MINN., (August 3, 2015) – 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.

In response to this announcement, Wind on the Wires Executive Director Beth Soholt issued the following statement:

“Wind on the Wires’ message for states and utilities in the Midwest is clear: Wind is a winner. And if you’re not carving out a robust role for renewables, like wind, you’re not choosing the lowest cost option, and you’re missing out on the jobs, economic development, new tax revenue for communities, water savings and other benefits that flow from developing wind farms.

“The Clean Power Plan released today will merely accelerate the transition to a clean and cost effective renewable future for utility customers, which has already begun. Wind energy remains the biggest, fastest, and cheapest way states and utilities can comply with the Clean Power Plan. The Energy Information Administration studied a range of options for complying with the Clean Power Plan, and wind energy was consistently the lowest-cost optionIn fact, wind can generate up to 57 percent of the needed clean power under the EIA's most cost-effective scenario.

“States and electric utilities can do this. Electric utilities have done a good job in the last decade of adding significant amounts of wind power to their generation portfolios, and an enormous amount wind is still available for harvest. The Midwest with its vast amount of cost competitive renewables is uniquely suited to answer the call for clean power that was advanced today."

# # #

About Wind on the Wires

Wind on the Wires is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minn., which is comprised of wind developers, environmental organizations, tribal representatives, public interest groups, clean energy advocates, farm groups and businesses providing goods and services to the wind industry. Our mission is to overcome the barriers to bringing wind energy to market by addressing technical and regulatory matters, as well as through education and public outreach.