CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

he International Energy Agency reports total U.S. electrical generation in 2004 at 4,148 terrawatt-hours. Fifty percent of that was from coal; 20 percent nuclear; 18 percent gas; 7 percent hydro; 3 percent oil; and 2 percent renewable.

Fourteen percent of the 2 percent "renewable" portion was from wind.

For 2030 and based on current government policies and practices, IEA projects total U.S. electrical generation to be 5,913 terawatt-hours. Of that 53 percent will come from coal; 16 percent nuclear; 16 percent gas; 5 percent hydro; 2 percent oil; and 8 percent renewable. Forty-four percent of the "renewable" portion will be from wind.

Under current government policy then, with a 42 percent increase in U.S. electrical production over the next quarter century, we will be relying on coal for a higher percentage of a much higher production level. Wind in that same time will increase from 0.28 percent to 3.52 percent of the total, more than a twelve-fold increase, but still a minute share of national electrical production.

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