U.S. generates enough wind power for 19 million homes

As of November, wind power in the U.S. reached a capacity of 70 gigawatts, a new milestone for the industry.

That’s enough electricity to power 19 million homes, or the total electricity demand of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says. The news came just days after Congress extended the production tax credit and alternative investment tax credit for wind power. 

The tax credits have been critical to industry’s growth, and will be extended for at least five years. Wind power reached 60 gigawatts in 2012 when the tax credit was in place, but growth temporarily stalled in 2013 as Congress let it expire.