Great Lakes Harness Wind Energy

RENEWABLE ENERGY
Electricity generation from fossil fueled power plants is a major source of the human-caused emissions of heat trapping gases. Burning coal also releases toxic air emissions and causes smog, soot, and acid rain. Any serious effort to reduce our contribution to global climate change must decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and increase generation of electricity from clean renewable sources. The Great Lakes region has a bounty of renewable energy sources available today. By developing these resources, the region could become a leader in clean energy.


Solution strategies:	HARNESS WIND ENERGY	INCREASE BIOMASS ENERGY	DEVELOP SOLAR POWER
Wind power generates emission-free electricity that requires no fuel to mine, transport, or store. A typical (750 kW) wind turbine provides enough power for 328 typical (non-electric heating) homes. The Great Lakes Region has significant wind energy resources. Minnesota is already among the top producing states nationally, but could do much more with enough technical potential to generate 16 times the state's energy needs from wind power. Wisconsin could meet 140 percent of its electricity needs from wind, while Illinois could meet nearly 90 percent. New York, Michigan, and Ontario have all also just begun to tap into their significant wind resources.