The current situation regarding our energy crisis has stepped up over past year.  The cost of crude has skyrocketed, leaving the nation to pay deep fuel prices.  This has been an issue for some time.  

Wind energy usage grew to 45 percent in the United States throughout 2007, and is expected to power over 1.5 million homes in 2008.  Currently, the greatest amount of windmill energy is being used in the state of Texas.  While the greatest use of windmill energy is being used in the United States, Spain, China and Germany are following close behind in their usage.

It is said that a wind turbine should be purchased for residential use for homes with an acre or more, and that typically you can save about 50-90 percent on your electric bill.  Of note, you will still use some utility during times of lower winds, but significantly less.  Unfortunately, a consumer would spend at least $6,000 to purchase one.  So, it seems that large companies would manage many turbines to power these homes.  

A windmill is an engine which is powered by the wind and a turbine converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy.  What are the differences between and windmill and a turbine?  If a machine utilizes this mechanical energy it is called a windmill, and if this energy is converted into electricity it is then considered to be a wind turbine or generator.

So, if wind machines have been around since 200 B.C. why has it taken us so long to implement them into our society today and avoid all of the energy problems we are facing currently?  Has the indecision of Congress caused great delay in progress due to lack of tax credits and other incentives?