Imagine getting free electricity, or having a power company pay you instead of paying for it, today's wind turbines just might make that possible. Windmills dating back to the 1400s were used to transform wind into usable energy for grinding and pumping. Today's wind turbines spin turbines to produce electricity. They are popping up all over the United States, but the United States is way behind other countries in wind energy development. Countries like Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom are investing billions of dollars in wind energy, including offshore wind farms. Germany ranks first in wind electricity production. Denmark, one of the smallest countries in Europe, produces twenty percent of its electricity from wind turbines (Eco-logical, 2004). Wind energy has only grown by twenty-six percent over the past five years in the United States (Eco-logical, 2004). 2004). This is sad in comparison to other countries, given the technology and manufacturing capabilities of the United States. Is it because there isn't enough wind for wind turbines in the United States? It's not difficult, wind turbines are better today than they were ten years ago, only needing a wind speed of thirteen miles per hour to turn the turbines. Could it be the cost? Well, according to an article in Eco-logical (2004), once construction is complete, there is very little maintenance, so operating the wind turbine is virtually free. Meaning wind; fuel for the turbine is free. Politicians are one of the reasons for the slow growth of wind energy in the United States. The problem is not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local government level. Politicians don't take the time to research the scale of wind power and are lobbying...... middle of paper ...... May 13). Alternative energies: wind energy. [From the journals] Darksyde. Retrieved from: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/13/8838/11631Jaques, N. (November 4, 2010). Cannons blaze above Great Lakes offshore wind development. http://social.windenergyupdate.com/industry-insight/guns-blazing-over-great-lakes-offshore-wind-developmentNazzaro, R., McClure, P., Gómez, JA, Siega, K. and Roach, W (September 16, 2005). Wind energy impacts wildlife and government responsibilities for regulating development and protecting wildlife. (GAO Report-05-906). Washington, DC: United States Government Accountability Office Jackson, P. W. (February 15, 2003). Sow the windmill, reap the whirlwind. Michigan Farm News. http://www.michiganfarmbureau.com/farmnews/transform.php?xml=20030215/cover.xmlNewsweek. (2006, April 24). Your own rooftop windmill. News week.