Wind power boost expected this year

The United States will boost its wind power capacity this year by about 25%, an industry group said.

More than 3,000 megawatts of wind power turbines will be added in the U.S. -- enough to power about 825,000 households, the American Wind Energy Assn. said.

In rankings issued last month, the AWEA showed Texas with 2,768 megawatts of wind power by the end of 2006 and California second with 2,361 megawatts. One megawatt of wind power produces enough electricity on average to serve 250 to 300 homes.