where's the wind?

A new emphasis is being placed on “alternative” sources of energy. The reasons for this are many. Rising petroleum and natural gas prices as well as the limited nature of our current sources of energy are some of the most significant. A largely untapped and unlimited potential source of energy is wind. Over the last decade a few “wind farms” have popped up across the country, though total wind produced electricity only accounts for .5% of total energy. Even though wind is free, it is still often times cheaper to produce electricity from burning coal. Wind-energy advocators claim that the main reason for the delayed utilization of this source is underdeveloped federal legislation. Currently, the government provides a 1.9 cent-per-kilowatt-hour tax credit to new wind farms during the first 10 years of operation. Wind prospectors complain that longer-term government commitment is necessary in order to promote further utilization. This complaint raises an important environmental economic issue. To what extent should the government subsidize an infant energy industry that is currently more costly then existing sources of energy? Obviously, the fact the wind is unlimited and produces no pollutants must be seriously considered.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/11/07/energy.wind.reut/index.html