February 16, 2016 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Wind energy accounted for more electric generating capacity in 2015 than any other energy source in America.

Credit: energy.gov (Massachusetts, Enertech)

The 8.6 gigawatts (GW) of wind power capacity installed surpassed the 7.3 GW of new solar photovoltaic capacity and 6 GW installed by natural gas, according to data from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the recently released Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Bloomberg New Energy and Finance (BNEF) 2016 Sustainable Energy Factbook.

In fact, wind accounted for more than 35 percent of new generating capacity, while all renewable resources together provided 68 percent of the new capacity, according to the Factbook.

"Wind's growth is being propelled by cost reductions of two-thirds over the last six years, which now makes wind the lowest-cost source of new generation," said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA, at this week's annual winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). "It's one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways we can reduce U.S. carbon emissions, and the low-cost solution for power sector reductions. Utilities and other purchasers are turning to wind energy also because it provides stably-priced energy with no fuel price risk, and protects consumers by creating a more diverse energy portfolio."

After a strong finish last year (2015 ranks as the third highest year for wind installations on record), wind energy is off to a good start in 2016, with an additional 9.4 GW under construction, an additional 4.9 GW in advanced stages of development, and a predictable federal Production Tax Credit for the next several years.

While the U.S. Supreme Court recently put a temporary stay on certification of state plans under the federal Clean Power Plan, states and utilities continue to work to develop solutions to reduce carbon pollution from fossil power plants. Many utilities have already indicated that the stay will not affect their planned generation changes; many recognize carbon reductions are inevitable, and the Supreme Court has already affirmed in multiple rulings that EPA has the authority and obligation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Xcel Energy, for example, recently announced plans to invest $6 billion in new wind and solar energy.

"While the Supreme Court's ruling is a significant development in this case, the merits of the case have not been decided and the legal proceedings will continue," said Laura McCarten, regional vice president, Xcel. "Xcel's analysis of the strategy, which speeds up wind and solar investment in this decade, shows it to be a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030 -- likely beyond Minnesota's requirements under the Clean Power Plan."

After the stay, Xcel said it would continue to work with states and stakeholders on plans "to create sustainable and affordable energy futures…This approach will not only ensure compliance with existing and new regulations, but also take advantage of new technologies, recognize evolving customer needs and continue to drive improvements in how we produce and deliver energy."

Grid operators like PJM have also indicated they plan to proceed with planning to accommodate the Clean Power Plan, as have many states.

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