Wind energy boosts economy, jobs in Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, other rural areas

A new study concludes that wind energy production can lead to higher incomes and more local jobs, especially for rural residents. Among the more than 1,000 counties studied in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, for the period from 2000 to 2008, "for each megawatt of wind power installed in the county," the county's personal income increased more than $2,000, from $9,300 to $11,500.