Why States Develop Wind Power: A policy analysis over space and time.

Emily Richards, Utah State University

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to gain a critical understanding of key indicators that promulgate the development of wind energy farms in the United States. Until recently, U.S. energy policy has reflected growing concerns over the effect greenhouse gases play in climate change. The need to hasten our transition to renewables in an attempt to mitigate further carbon emissions has spawned a growing green energy sector, with wind development leading the way for the past decade. Wind development varies vastly by year and by state; therefore, I have accumulate data by state for each of the past 15 years referencing wind farm growth, demand, individual state regulation, cost of natural gas, green energy portfolios, and production tax credits. The goal of this research was to accurately predict the key factors that lead to development of wind power across the nation and would therefore promote wind development in the future. Initial results suggests the Production Tax Credit has the greatest affect upon accurately predicting investment spikes and crashes while other factors, although important, have a lesser effect on the push and pull of wind development. Wind power is a commercially proven, rapidly growing form of electricity generation that provides clean, renewable, and cost-effective electricity around the world. Identifying the driving force of production will increase success in implementing policies that directly aid the growth of renewable wind energy production.

 
Apr 12th, 10:30 AM Apr 12th, 11:45 AM

Why States Develop Wind Power: A policy analysis over space and time.

The North Atrium

The primary objective of this research was to gain a critical understanding of key indicators that promulgate the development of wind energy farms in the United States. Until recently, U.S. energy policy has reflected growing concerns over the effect greenhouse gases play in climate change. The need to hasten our transition to renewables in an attempt to mitigate further carbon emissions has spawned a growing green energy sector, with wind development leading the way for the past decade. Wind development varies vastly by year and by state; therefore, I have accumulate data by state for each of the past 15 years referencing wind farm growth, demand, individual state regulation, cost of natural gas, green energy portfolios, and production tax credits. The goal of this research was to accurately predict the key factors that lead to development of wind power across the nation and would therefore promote wind development in the future. Initial results suggests the Production Tax Credit has the greatest affect upon accurately predicting investment spikes and crashes while other factors, although important, have a lesser effect on the push and pull of wind development. Wind power is a commercially proven, rapidly growing form of electricity generation that provides clean, renewable, and cost-effective electricity around the world. Identifying the driving force of production will increase success in implementing policies that directly aid the growth of renewable wind energy production.