Wind Power
On the show we visited a wind farm run by Madison Gas and Electric Company (MG&E). Though most of the state’s power is not generated by wind, there are many benefits to using this power source, both ecologically and economically.

Wisconsin is a net importer of electricity; that means we buy more electricity from other states than we make ourselves. Wisconsin-based wind power helps us keep money we spend on electricity here in the state. Turbines and access roads take up very little land, so more land is available for development or agriculture.

Generating wind power is better for the earth.
• Burning fuel like coal, natural gas, or diesel creates emissions like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

• One wind farm saves the equivalent of 13,110 tons of coal – enough to fill a train 1.25 miles long.

• One of MG&E’s wind farm keeps 18,630 tons of carbon dioxide, 106 tons of sulfur dioxide (an acid rain gas), and 61 tons of nitrogen oxides from entering the air each year. That’s equal to what a 3,700-acre forest will remove in a year.