Wind Turbines Could Meet U.S. Electric Needs - 4/13/09

Placing wind turbines off U.S. coastlines could supply more than enough electricity for the U.S. according to the Interior Department report.

Harvesting wind power in shallow waters is the most accessible and feasible place for wind turbines.  It could produce 20% of the power demand in most coastal states according to the report. 

The biggest wind power potential is off the Atlantic coast, which the report estimates could produce 1,000 gigawatts of electricity and could meet one quarter of the nations demand.

The report states there is a large potential off the Pacific coast, but there is technical challenges.

The report estimates there are oil and gas reserves off the Pacific coast.  There could be 10 to 18 billion barrels of oil.

The report is in line with President Obama’s plans to explore offshore energy development.  Advocates for offshore drilling believe there is more oil offshore than the report estimates.

The Interior Department released an executive summary of the report on Thursday.

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