Wind Energy

Wind Energy. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.

The wind energy industry has made significant strides. John Stulp - Chairman of the Colorado Interbasin Compact Committee - says adding more wind to the United States’ energy portfolio is very positive.

STULP: It’s amazing how fast time has passed since the first turbines went in but they continue to be very helpful economically to those farms and ranches that they are located on. They’re still proving the tax base for the counties and local communities they are in.

As Director of the IBCC - Stulp discusses Colorado’s future water needs with other individuals from each basin. As western states respond to an ongoing drought - he says water resources have to be managed in the best way possible.

STULP: The thing that’s attractive about wind is that once you’ve poured the concrete for the foundation for the turbine you’re pretty much finished using water as wind turbines do not have to use water for cooling like the other thermal electric type of plants do.

Since 2007 - the United States has almost doubled its wind capacity - and Stulp says wind energy projects have been well-received.

STULP: A number of different companies have been developing portions of these large wind farms and of course it continues to employ a lot of people during the construction phase and then a lot smaller workforce after the completion of the project to manage them and service them.

That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.