Did you know the wind from Texas, North Dakota, and South Dakota could supply energy for the entire United States if we used wind energy? Yes, it is true. But there are several different opinions about whether to use wind energy or not.
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Wind energy is a clean alternative energy source. It is powered by wind pushing turbines in windmills and then producing energy. According to the magazine article "Energy From Wind" it is believed that the first people to use wind energy were the Persians (par. 2). Also according to the article "Clean As a Breeze" this energy is the fastest growing energy source in the world (4)! More and more people are using windmills. Altogether, more than 10,000 homes are powered by new energy forms. According to the book Energy Alternatives, in order to use windmills they must be spread out in windy areas. These will be replacing oil, coal, and gas. Later the article explains that also the windmill today used for this is more powerful and all around better than the ones before. According to Nancy Hazard of the Northeast Sustainable energy association, "That's why clean energy sources like the wind and sun are incredibly important for the future of the planet." In windy states like California and Texas there are giant wind "farms." The largest wind farm in the world is in Altamont, California which has 6,500 windmills. Some people say it is difficult and expensive to get this, but others say it is worth it for the future of our planet (4-5).
The article "Clean As a Breeze" later states that one advantage of using wind energy is that it never runs out. While oil and gas are nonrenewable resources wind energy can never get used up (5). It also just costs 4-6 cents per kilowatt hour. Energy Alternatives goes on to explain that another advantage is that wind energy will not harm the environment, human health, and it will not pollute the air or produce atmospheric emissions that cause green house gas and acid rain (106). Lastly, the book explains if we use wind energy we can save fossil fuels for when we need them(109). Then we will not have to depend on other countries for fuels(17).There are many advantages but there are also disadvantages.
According to another book in order to get all this new equipment it costs a lot to start up and it could force people out of areas to place the windmills (25, 110). Also the magazine article, "Energy From Wind" goes on to explain that in order to be competitive with other energy sources the area must have 10-12 miles per hour average wind speed which not all spots have. According to the web site Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy if a bird flies into it it will die from the turbines (par. 11). The book explains that another disadvantage is that people against it say that the windmills are too loud and unattractive (107). Lastly the web site states that windmills are mainly in rural areas not in cities where the energy is needed(par. 9). Lastly wind does not always blow when it is needed( par. 8). Many of these problems have been reduced or even resolved through technology (par 11).