Well, we have the resources to crush the rest of the world in the wind energy sphere. I just published a blog post showing that we've only developed 2% of our total potential wind energy resources....

http://environmentaldefenseblogs.org/climateatlas/

Pretty amazing that we've finally become #1 yet have so much more to do!

Peter Black

"This milestone, which was not expected until the end of 2009"
Does that mean the US is expected to overtake Germany in installed capacity in 2009 as well?

Here are a couple of questions that I would ask of an AWEA rep:

Historically the costs for wind have been declining but there were reports that (due to high demand) costs have been rising recently. Is this true? How long does the industry expect the supply shortage to last?

How long can the industry maintain it's sizeable year over year growth?

What does AWEA believe is the ideal storage method for "excess" wind power generation?

Wind prices are also increasing due to the price of raw materials, particularly the steel and polymers that make up the shaft, blades, and gear box. Of course, this same issue is driving up the price of coal and nuclear plants as well, and even affecting solar (slowing its free-falling price).

But Germany has less than the third of US population so when you divide the power per person that's not much of a milestone.

Editorial: Taking baby steps to energy independence

Jul 24, 2008 by The Baltimore Examiner Newspaper

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - With the federal government dragging its feet on energy policy, it’s up to the states and counties to lead the way in weaning us from our finite supply of fossil fuels.

Baltimore County last week proved itself open and ready for that responsibility. Deputy Zoning Commissioner Thomas Bostwick ruled that a Monkton family could build a 120-foot wind turbine on its 50-plus acres despite the spurious arguments of some neighbors that it would lower property values in the surrounding area, hurt wildlife and be too noisy.

The approval meant granting an exception to a rule that caps poles on residential property at 15 feet. Given the cost of building the turbine, which could reach $120,000, we doubt this will start a stampede to the zoning commissioner’s door for more exemptions.

But it showed the county is ready to revisit outdated rules to adapt to a changing economic climate. To prevent more zoning debates, County Council members should address the issue and pass legislation explicitly allowing turbines. Carroll County in May passed the state’s first law allowing turbines up to 150 feet in backyards.

Aesthetics must not stop worthy alternative energy projects. No study that we can find shows wind turbines hurt property values, and accusations they will be too noisy are false. The one planned for the Antonelli family in Monkton will be as loud as a window unit air conditioner, according to the electrician for the project.

And at what price wildlife? Environmentalists say we must not drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because birds and wildlife could potentially be hurt. Must we also deny people the right to develop viable renewable energy sources because a few members of a certain species might be hurt? We need to get energy from somewhere.

Individual windmills are no solution to the state or the country’s energy problem. As Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6, has pointed out in these pages, we need the equivalent of a federally funded Manhattan Project to accomplish that goal.

But in the interim, encouraging people to become energy self-sufficient by giving them the legal tools to do so only makes sense.

"Crush the world in the wind energy sphere"? What is this? Pro-wrestling?
Why does this nationalist nonsense have to come into something like windpower?

Wind Power here in Denver was CHEAPER than usual polluting XCEL power.........Colorado, New Mexico, and Minnesota are only states where you can call the Utility company and go 100% Wind Power........most Ski Areas in Colorado 100% wind Powered.........
www.Wind4me.com