Contrary to popular belief — promoted by well-funded industrial wind turbine facility developers — wind turbines do not reduce the need for fossil fuel powered electric generators and do not reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Even at sites known for their breeze, wind is intermittent, variable and undependable. As a result, utility companies must rely on dependable power sources, usually powered by fossil fuel.
Electricity supply must be dependable. No one wants to turn on a light switch and have nothing happen because the wind does not happen to be spinning the wind turbines at that moment. Therefore the bulk of a utility's electric power must come from large generators, powered by coal, nuclear, gas, or water. To make up for the high variability of wind turbines, other generators that can be started quickly must be on standby, able to be brought on line quickly when the wind dies. These standby generators are most often powered by natural gas or coal.
A recent study found that "the wind-based portfolio results in little reduction, if any, in the need for fossil fuels."
Most electricity in the U.S. is fueled by coal or natural gas. Only 3% of all oil consumed in the U.S. is used for generating electricity. 68% is consumed in the transportation industry. Building wind farms "Does Not" reduce dependence on foreign oil.
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