ISU Study Highlights the Economics of Wind Energy
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: July 17, 2012
NORMAL - A new study says wind farms are proving to be an economic engine in Illinois.
Illinois State University's Center for Renewable Energy looked at the state's 23 largest wind farms.
Researchers found the farms have created more than 19,000 short-term jobs and more than 800 long-term jobs.
The study also says nearly $6 billion will be added to the area economy as long as the farms are online.
However, supporters of wind energy say the economic development is at risk if Congress does not extend a tax credit for developers.
"If Congress can't etend the production tax credit, than thousands of workers in Illinois face the threat of moving from paychecks to pink slips," said Jack Darin with the Illinois Sierra Club.
The production tax credit expires at the end of the year.
It started in 1992 to help offset the cost in a wind farm's first 10 years.
Illinois State University's Center for Renewable Energy looked at the state's 23 largest wind farms.
Researchers found the farms have created more than 19,000 short-term jobs and more than 800 long-term jobs.
The study also says nearly $6 billion will be added to the area economy as long as the farms are online.
However, supporters of wind energy say the economic development is at risk if Congress does not extend a tax credit for developers.
"If Congress can't etend the production tax credit, than thousands of workers in Illinois face the threat of moving from paychecks to pink slips," said Jack Darin with the Illinois Sierra Club.
The production tax credit expires at the end of the year.
It started in 1992 to help offset the cost in a wind farm's first 10 years.
