Chu announces new wind energy funding

GOLDEN, Colo., April 29 (UPI) -- Secretary of Energy Steven Chu says his department will provide $93 million to support development of wind energy in the United States.

Chu announced the plans Wednesday during a visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, as will more than $100 million for infrastructure improvements at the NREL facility.

"Wind energy will be one of the most important contributors to meeting President Obama's target of generating 10 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2012," Chu said. "The projects funded by this opportunity will advance wind technology so that it can reliably supply a substantial portion of our nation's electricity. They will also help in creating more new jobs and expanding a clean energy economy."

Included in the funding projects are enhancements of current and next generation wind turbine drive-train systems; improvements of the quality and use of lighter advanced materials for turbine blades, towers and other components, and creation of a National Wind Technology Center.

Chu said wind energy is among the fastest growing energy technologies in the United States, with the U.S. now leading the world in wind energy generation and new wind energy capacity.