Wind energy is the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator which supplies an electric current.
Wind energy is the fastest growing source of renewable electricity generation in the world. Wind resources provide 0.1 percent of America's total energy supply and generate about 0.3 percent of America's electricity. Wind generates about 3 percent of all electricity produced from renewable resources.
About 46 percent of the 261 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management have commercial wind-energy development potential. Approximately eight percent, or 500 megawatts of America's installed wind capacity is on Federal lands. In California alone, 2,960 wind turbines on federal lands near Palm Springs generate 315 megawatt hours of electricity, enough electricity to supply 300,000 people.
In 2005 BLM issued a Programmatic Wind Energy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the potential impacts of wind on federal lands. This EIS estimated that over 3200 MWs of wind capacity would be on Federal lands by 2025. Wind energy development on public lands is permitted as right-of-ways.
Several wind farms have been proposed on America's outer continental shelf. Experts believe that offshore wind energy has enormous growth potential. The Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service was given authority in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to permit offshore wind, wave and other alternative energy facilities.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has developed voluntary, interim guidelines to assist onshore wind developers in minimizing and avoiding the potential impacts of wind turbines on wildlife.
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