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Kansas led the nation in new wind projects in 2011, with 1,188 megawatts under construction.
When those projects go online later this year, they will nearly double Kansas' wind capacity and represent about 15 percent of the state's installed capacity, said Elizabeth Salerno, chief economist for the American Wind Energy Association.
"Other states continue to have strong under-construction figures, but two states have been added to the list or will be added to the list of U.S. states with wind once they bring their projects online," she said.
Salerno said Nevada and Connecticut both broke ground on wind projects last year, and those projects should be up and running in the coming months.
AWEA members hosted a Webinar with reporters Thursday to discuss the national trade association's fourth-quarter results for 2011. The organization also called for Congress to renew the production tax credit for wind energy projects.
The U.S. wind industry installed more than 6,810 megawatts in 2011, 31 percent higher than the previous year, according to the trade association. More than 8,300 megawatts are under construction, setting the stage for a strong year in 2012.
The United States' total installed capacity through the end of 2011 was 46,919 megawatts, the equivalent of powering about 12 million homes.
Kansas, Texas and California were the top three states for wind projects under construction in 2011, followed by Oregon and Illinois. Texas, Iowa and California led the nation in overall wind power last year, but Kansas did not make the top 10.
California, Illinois and Iowa were the top three states for new wind power installations.
Thirty states brought wind projects online in 2011, and construction is continuing for projects in 31 states this year, according to the trade association.
But AWEA members said the wind energy industry could stall in 2013 if Congress fails to renew the production tax credit for wind projects. Members said lawmakers should move swiftly to renew the credit, which is part of the payroll tax cut extension.
The credit is set to expire at the end of the year, and the AWEA is seeking a four-year extension.
AWEA CEO Denise Bode said the industry has built strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate for extending the production tax credit, which would help wind-turbine makers retain jobs.
"I do believe that Congress will act to extend," she said. "Our greatest fear, though, is that this is delayed until later on in the year. If that happens, we are very likely to lose tens of thousands of jobs in our manufacturing sector this year.
"So there is incredible urgency that we act immediately to extend the PTC so that we preserve this job growth and continue this wonderful American success story."
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
Kansas led the nation in new wind projects in 2011, with 1,188 megawatts under construction.
When those projects go online later this year, they will nearly double Kansas' wind capacity and represent about 15 percent of the state's installed capacity, said Elizabeth Salerno, chief economist for the American Wind Energy Association.
"Other states continue to have strong under-construction figures, but two states have been added to the list or will be added to the list of U.S. states with wind once they bring their projects online," she said.
Salerno said Nevada and Connecticut both broke ground on wind projects last year, and those projects should be up and running in the coming months.
AWEA members hosted a Webinar with reporters Thursday to discuss the national trade association's fourth-quarter results for 2011. The organization also called for Congress to renew the production tax credit for wind energy projects.
The U.S. wind industry installed more than 6,810 megawatts in 2011, 31 percent higher than the previous year, according to the trade association. More than 8,300 megawatts are under construction, setting the stage for a strong year in 2012.
The United States' total installed capacity through the end of 2011 was 46,919 megawatts, the equivalent of powering about 12 million homes.
Kansas, Texas and California were the top three states for wind projects under construction in 2011, followed by Oregon and Illinois. Texas, Iowa and California led the nation in overall wind power last year, but Kansas did not make the top 10.
California, Illinois and Iowa were the top three states for new wind power installations.
Thirty states brought wind projects online in 2011, and construction is continuing for projects in 31 states this year, according to the trade association.
But AWEA members said the wind energy industry could stall in 2013 if Congress fails to renew the production tax credit for wind projects. Members said lawmakers should move swiftly to renew the credit, which is part of the payroll tax cut extension.
The credit is set to expire at the end of the year, and the AWEA is seeking a four-year extension.
AWEA CEO Denise Bode said the industry has built strong bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate for extending the production tax credit, which would help wind-turbine makers retain jobs.
"I do believe that Congress will act to extend," she said. "Our greatest fear, though, is that this is delayed until later on in the year. If that happens, we are very likely to lose tens of thousands of jobs in our manufacturing sector this year.
"So there is incredible urgency that we act immediately to extend the PTC so that we preserve this job growth and continue this wonderful American success story."
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
