AP: Trump Misrepresents Wind Energy Facts, Refuted by Authoritative Institutions
AP reported on July 11 that US President Donald Trump made false statements about wind energy again during a cabinet meeting on July 8, claiming "smart countries don't use wind power" and incorrectly asserting that wind power is "expensive and dominated by China." Fact-checking shows that onshore wind power is one of the cheapest energy sources in the US, with new projects costing about $30 per megawatt-hour, far lower than natural gas (65 dollars) and nuclear power (80 dollars). The Energy Innovation Think Tank pointed out that wind power accounts for 60% in Iowa, and its electricity price increases are much lower than in the other 42 states. Regarding Trump's claim that wind turbines are almost entirely made in China, the Global Energy Monitor report stated that although China is the largest wind power manufacturer (accounting for more than half of the global market), the US wind power industry chain is also expanding rapidly, with solar component capacity exceeding 31 gigawatts in 2024, four times higher than in 2022.
Trump also claimed that wind power causes whales to die, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) clearly denied any link between wind power and whale strandings, stating that ship collisions and climate change are the main causes. Regarding "wind turbines killing birds," the National Audubon Society emphasized that climate change poses a greater threat to birds than wind turbines, and scientific site selection can minimize the impact. Michael Gerrard, director of the Center for Climate Law at Columbia University, warned that if the US gives up its leadership in wind power, it will hand over technological advantages to China and lose a large number of jobs. Data from the Global Wind Energy Council show that new wind power installations reached record highs in 2024, with China, the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany as the top five markets, while emerging countries like Egypt are accelerating their layouts.
Trump's executive order to terminate green energy subsidies has sparked controversy. A Department of Energy report showed that 90% of decommissioned wind turbines can be recycled, and the industry is developing next-generation recyclable blade technology. Experts warned that this move could hinder the transition to clean energy, while China is reducing reliance on fossil fuels through the coordinated development of wind power and solar energy.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837292543687690/
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