What is the carbon footprint of wind energy? Do they reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)?
Wind energy has a lower carbon footprint than electricity produced by traditional utilities that burn coal or other fuels. According to the American Wind Energy Association, over its life, a small residential wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gas pollutants (carbon dioxide and other gases which cause global warming).
Cole Gustafson, North Dakota State University
Irene Shonle, Colorado State University