A new study makes the case for wind energy as a boon to the economy. David Loomis is Director of the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, which did the analysis. He says when adding up various factors, wind farms in Illinois account for 6 billion dollars worth of activity over a 25 year period. Among those factors: jobs.
"During the construction phase, there's a lot of activity and people get employed. There are about 2500 jobs that are supported during that construction phase. And about 226 long term jobs coming during operational phase."
Loomis says wind farms also pump money into the economy through payments to land owners and taxes. He says the study shows Illinois policymakers should embrace wind energy as a renewable resource that also makes financial sense.