Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity pollutes our air, contributes to global warming, and consumes vast amounts of water—harming our rivers and lakes and leaving less water for other uses. In contrast, wind energy produces no air pollution, makes no contribution to global warming, and uses no water. America’s wind power capacity has quadrupled in the last five years, and thanks to wind energy, America uses less water for power plants and produces less climate-altering carbon pollution. We have vast wind energy resources, and there is still plenty of room for growth, especially for off-shore wind. But the pending expiration of the federal renewable energy production tax credit and investment tax credit threatens the future expansion of wind power. To protect the environment, New Jersey and the federal government should continue and expand policies that support wind energy.
