The Economic Impact of Wind Energy

In wind-rich counties from Texas to North Dakota, installations of wind turbines increase total personal incomes and create jobs, according to research conducted by EMP economists and colleagues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The team found that, for every megawatt of wind capacity installed from 2000 to 2008, annual total personal income rose by approximately $11,000, and 0.5 jobs were created. After accounting for economic activity in other sectors, the top counties for wind development gained an average of 132 net jobs attributable to turbine installations, operations or land lease payments.