| Wind power is growing in popularity as an alternative | | | | power as a clean electrical source for consumers the |
| to fossil fuel and one of the best of the renewable | | | | world over. AWEA represents developers of wind |
| energy sources. The use of wind power requires | | | | power projects, those who are in the business of |
| wind turbines. Wind turbine generators do little to | | | | supplying wind power equipment, wind power service |
| harm the environment and are far preferable in this | | | | providers, manufacturers of wind power parts, |
| regard to fossil fuel. The only disadvantage is that | | | | utilities that provide wind power for electrical power, |
| they cannot be used everywhere. In order to | | | | scientists researching green energy resources that |
| effectively use turbines to generate wind power you | | | | include the use of wind power and others involved in |
| would need an average wind speed of at least 13 | | | | any way in the wind power industry. Hundreds of |
| miles per hour. Obviously, that is not found | | | | advocates of wind power are also members of |
| everywhere. | | | | AWEA. |
| Palm Springs California is ideal for wind turbines that | | | | The American Wind Energy Association provides the |
| generate power and as you pass through there along | | | | latest information on the operation of current or |
| highway 10 you will see these wind turbines in various | | | | potential wind power projects, the ongoing |
| sizes. Called a wind farm, This San Bernadino Mountain | | | | development of new wind power projects, |
| area has over 4000 windmills in its San Gorgonio | | | | companies who work in the burgeoning industry, the |
| Mountain Pass. These turbines provide enough wind | | | | development of new wind energy technology, and |
| power to provide electricity to all of Palm Springs and | | | | government legislation and policies that pertain to the |
| the Coachella Valley area as a whole. Most of the | | | | use, production and funding of wind power and other |
| current wind power generation in the U.S. resides in | | | | renewable energies. |
| California. | | | | AWEA acts as a clearing house for the wind power |
| The largest of the wind power windmills is 150 feet in | | | | industry, and as such communicates the pertinent |
| height with blades that stretch halfway across a | | | | statistics, facts and news. From AWEA consumers |
| football field. There are compartments at the | | | | and others can find out the latest legislative decisions |
| windmills top that house its generators, its hub and its | | | | and efforts, including the best information on grants |
| gearbox. These weigh at least 30,000 and as much | | | | and loans to aid in the implementation of residential, |
| as 45,000 pounds. At this size the turbine for wind | | | | commercial and governmental wind power projects. |
| power may cost more than 300,000 but will provide | | | | AWEA publishes and disseminates the only weekly |
| 300 kilowatts each hour. This amount of wind power | | | | wind power newsletter that exists anywhere. It also |
| is enough to keep one typical household in electrical | | | | hosts an annual wind power conference, with |
| power for an entire month. | | | | presentations on the latest technological |
| The American Wind Energy Association AWEA is a | | | | developments and trends as well as access to |
| U.S. - wide non-profit organization promoting wind | | | | businesses offering help in its implementation. |