What does Cape Wind approval mean?

That great if we can do it but you have to put the numbers in perspective.

Right now the US has something like 160,000 MW of generation capacity that produces just under 4 trillion KWh per year.


These wind projects would offset, what, 1 - 1.5% of that? We have to do a lot better if we are going to give more than lip service to moving off FF.


-Jeremy

Actualy, it is not quite that bad. Only 45% of our electricity is derived from coal, the main culprit. Therefore, to replace coal will require 72,000 MW. 2500 MW will replace almost 3% of that. Remember, though, that is just offshore windmills. While many windmills are being proposed for offshore, many more than that are being built, on land. Municipalities, business and residential windmills are being installed. The same can be said solar electric generation as well. We are actualy moving along in these areas, admittedly it seems slowly. Also, moving slowly, but moving, is research in such alternatives as tidal or current turbines, geothermal electric, and expanding traditional hydro-electric. As far as I know, there are a couple of Nuclear power plants being discussed as well, and I am sure new ones will have much greater generating capacity than older ones.

backup windmill with NG plant like Veazie