Wind power keeps American manufacturing humming

The next corporate purchase of wind energy is here – this time highlighting how American manufacturing companies like General Motors are increasingly turning to wind for the energy muscle that keeps their business running.

GM just announced a wind power purchase that will supply 100 percent of the electricity for a factory that builds 1,100 SUVs a day in Arlington, Texas. This means GM is coming back for even more wind energy after another purchase last year, which supplied the first half of the factory’s energy needs. The purchase also provides enough additional wind power to supply 13 of GM’s part warehouses and two business offices.

More of your cars, trucks and SUV’s are about to be made using wind power.

“GM’s commitment to renewable energy is helping transform the way electricity is produced, distributed and consumed around the world, and we’re doing it in a way that makes our company and communities stronger,” said Rob Threlkeld, GM global manager of renewable energy. “These renewable energy investments drive down greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependence on finite resources, and help keep our air and water clean.”

GM is a leader in procuring renewable energy but it isn’t alone. Tech firms like Microsoft and retailers like Walmart have also turned to wind because they want to lock-in low cost energy that produces no air pollution.

“(W)ind costs have gone down in the last three or four years to the point where they are the lowest-cost source of power on the grid,” said Threlkeld.

Wind power purchases make good business sense, but they also contribute to a stronger, less expensive and more diverse American energy mix that benefits everyone.

More and more of the everyday products and services Americans use are built with or supplied by wind energy. I’m always surprised where wind power turns up in my own life; just yesterday I bought some potato chips that had their energy inputs offset by wind.