Red States Are Gone with the Wind

Regardless of the Trump administration’s stance on climate, several red states are generating record amounts of renewable energy. For states like Kansas, where wind energy is set to make up 50% of the state’s power in a year or two, it’s all about money and jobs, rather than emissions and politics. Texas and Iowa are the top states in installed wind capacity, with Texas housing the highest number of wind turbines, at 12,000 in 2016 (click here for an interactive map showing wind energy in the states). There may actually be a few silver linings to Trump’s rejection and reversal of climate protections. First, blue states are doubling their efforts to produce renewable energy. Second, they are also more committed to joining forces with those windy red states like Kansas, Iowa, and Wyoming to create interstate renewable power lines.