Wind power employs about ~130,000 people, the coal industry employs about 54,000. The wind industry generates 7% of US power the Coal industry 23%. Its not quite 10x, but its still far more. Outside of West Virginia, a move towards more renewables would be a huge boon for rural America. It would employ a lot of people, and you obviously aren't going to be building solar or wind farms in the middle of cities. It costs about 40$ per MWH for onshore wind and 114$ per MWH for coal. The cost of building wind turbines is slightly higher than a gas factory but cheaper than a coal factory, but much of that is labor cost to American workers and it becomes much cheaper when factor in that once built wind is essentially free. Ofc wind energy is going to have to be back up with nuclear and probably some natural gas. Its not always windy and its not always sunny.
The idea that the wind industry is being held up by government subsidies though is stupid. Almost all power generation comes from public utilities monopolies who are given huge government subsides. Thats just how the energy industry works. Its a hell of a lot cheaper to invest in new technology than to have to have an aircraft carrier group off the Persian gulf 8 months a year. Opposition to wind energy is more about aesthetics and being duped by the oil lobby than actual concerns.
In case you guys think that windmills aren't reliable in the winter if they are properly weathered proofed just like any power source here you go:
Wind power employs about ~130,000 people, the coal industry employs about 54,000. The wind industry generates 7% of US power the Coal industry 23%. Its not quite 10x, but its still far more. Outside of West Virginia, a move towards more renewables would be a huge boon for rural America. It would employ a lot of people, and you obviously aren't going to be building solar or wind farms in the middle of cities. It costs about 40$ per MWH for onshore wind and 114$ per MWH for coal. The cost of building wind turbines is slightly higher than a gas factory but cheaper than a coal factory, but much of that is labor cost to American workers and it becomes much cheaper when factor in that once built wind is essentially free. Ofc wind energy is going to have to be back up with nuclear and probably some natural gas. Its not always windy and its not always sunny.
The idea that the wind industry is being held up by government subsidies though is stupid. Almost all power generation comes from public utilities monopolies who are given huge government subsides. Thats just how the energy industry works. Its a hell of a lot cheaper to invest in new technology than to have to have an aircraft carrier group off the Persian gulf 8 months a year. Opposition to wind energy is more about aesthetics and being duped by the oil lobby than actual concerns.
In case you guys think that windmills aren't reliable in the winter if they are properly weathered proofed just like any power source here you go:
https://www.archdaily.com/934590/in-antarctica-architecture-is-heating-up/5e58fafd6ee67e0f01000198-in-antarctica-architecture-is-heating-up-image
Found the guys who work for the windmill companies
Jokes on me, I am a college student majoring in history.
Study harder.