Washington (Platts)--28Jul2009

Developers installed more than 1,210 MW of new wind power capacity in the
US during the second quarter of 2009, the American Wind Energy Association
said Tuesday.

New installations are estimated to have generated about 1,000
construction jobs in the second quarter, according to AWEA, and are expected
to create about 4,500 construction jobs this year. The wind industry in the US
employs about 85,000 people. AWEA estimates that if the US does not eventually
implement a renewable energy standard, this employment could drop by half.

Missouri, with a 90% increase in wind capacity in Q2, had the most rapid
growth. Projects were also built in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington and
Texas, AWEA said.

--Esther Whieldon, esther_whieldon@platts.com