Utah may triple its wind power

Within 20 years, the wind rustling across Utah's landscape may not be simply the lonely voice of nature. It may be a power source, turning turbines that could contribute 741 megawatts to the electrical grid, according to the U.S. Interior Department.

That would be nearly three times the amount of electricity currently generated by wind in this state, according to the "Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on Wind Energy Development on BLM-Administered Lands in the Western United States."

The report was released Tuesday by the Bureau of Land Management.

The Utah contribution pales in comparison with the 30,801 megawatts projected for 11 Western states.

One megawatt is enough electricity to supply 240 to 300 households for a year, according to the report.

A programmatic study differs from a site-specific examination because it looks at the overall impacts. When a project is proposed for a particular area, the larger study can be consulted.

A chart in the document shows non-BLM land in Utah hosts turbines generating 162 megawatts, while BLM holdings are responsible for 98 megawatts. In 20 years, the totals are projected to jump to 485 megawatts and 256 megawatts, respectively.