 The windmill on the open range is a classic Wyoming icon. We've been using the winds power to pump water on the open range for many years. It's not a new thing, but with increasing energy costs there's renewed interest in harnessing the wind's energy to power our homes and factories. And why not? Wind is a clean inexhaustible natural resource that energy experts predict could provide 20% of this nation's energy needs. That's enough to power more than two million homes and businesses. But how do we harness the wind's energy? Well, we mount wind turbines on a tall tower, way up high and faster and less turbulent wind. Turbines capture the wind's energy with their propeller like blades. A blade acts much like an airplane wing. Wind forms a pocket of low pressure on the downwind side of the blade, pulling the blade toward it. That, plus the force on the upwind side, causes the blade shaft to spin a generator to make electricity. Now, utility companies will build a large number of wind turbines near each other to form a wind farm. And they will work together to deliver energy to the electric grid. But homeowners, farmers and ranchers in windy areas can also use wind turbines as a way to cut their electric bills. For more information, contact your local county extension office. From the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, I'm Eric Peterson.