Wind power produces no pollution and no by-products. Furthermore it uses no natural resources in the production of energy, whereas fossil fuels and nuclear use water for both creating steam to turn the turbines and for cooling.

For every MWh produced by wind turbines, a MWh is not produced by the standard electricity supply mix.

The generation of electric power produces more pollution than any other single industry in the United States. The most recent (1998) data shows the U.S. electricity industry was responsible for:

• 67% of sulfur dioxide emissions that contribute to acid rain
• 25% of NOx emissions that contribute to urban smog
• 40% of carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change

Among the other major environmental issues linked to electricity are water impacts, generation of wastes, and the disruption of land uses.

Sources:

• http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epates.html
• http://www.infinitepower.org/calc_pollution.htm
• http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/renewable_energy/page.cfm
• Environment Canada