Developing 2500 Megawatts of wind energy in Utah has the potential to yield approximately $2.7 billion dollars in net economic benefits across the State, over 7,000 construction jobs, and over 1,100 new long-term jobs in Utah’s communities. These numbers reflect direct, indirect, and induced economic benefits (see Figure 1).

The US Department of Energy's 20% Wind Vision Study highlights the economic benefits to the U.S. by achieving 20% wind energy by 2030.

A number of studies have been conducted by Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and the U.S. Department of Energy that analyze projected impacts of wind development in several counties in Utah. Read the studies here.

These studies employ the "Jobs and Economic Impact Development Impact Model" (JEDI Model), an input-output economic model developed to estimate the economic impacts of constructing and operating new power generation at the local and state levels.

For more information on these studies and the economic impacts of Utah wind, contact:

• Dr. Edwin Stafford or Dr. Cathy Hartman
• Jobs and Economic Impact Development Impact Model
• Wind Powering America – Economic Development