High winds have played a significant role in the history of Texas, Oklahoma and the Great Plains. At worst they accentuated the destructive “dust bowl” period, at best they’ve helped to power small homestead farms for several centuries.

As the struggle to step back from carbon based energy continues, it’s happy news that the measures are meeting with more success and fewer obstacles:

The decision also signals that the Obama administration remains committed to encouraging the spread of renewable energy, seen as a major component of reaching national goals on stemming climate change.Multiple companies are hoping to build high-voltage transmission lines to transport renewable energy produced by wind farms and hydroelectric plants to more populous regions of the country.

“Moving remote and plentiful power to areas where electricity is in high demand is essential for building the grid of the future,” Ernest Moniz, the energy secretary, said in a statement. “Building modern transmission that delivers renewable energy to more homes and businesses will create jobs, cut carbon emissions and enhance the reliability of our grid.”

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