Wind Power hits economic storm

WASHINGTON " Wind power has seen historic growth and the blessing of President Barack Obama " but it's far from recession proof.

The American Wind Energy Association reports that the amount of electricity generated by wind turbines grew by 50 percent last year and 55 new manufacturing facilities were built to make turbine components.

Interest in wind power also is on the rise in Nevada, including one proposal to erect 69 windmills in the mountains north of Carson City and west of Virginia City.

But the national association sees storm clouds ahead.

Denise Bode, the group's top executive, says "the financial downturn has begun to take a serious toll on new wind development," with layoffs reported at a number of manufacturing plants. Last year, the industry gained 13,000 jobs. But the association says hundreds of people have recently lost their jobs because the credit crunch is delaying wind projects.