The United States recently reached a milestone in alternative energy production.  Wind generated power produced 50 gigawatts of energy that can power 12.8 million homes.  This news is a positive sign that the country is growing its alternative energy base and that economic independence from fossil fuels to produce energy is a distinct possibility in the future.  Currently the major forms of alternative energy sources in the United States is comprised of hydroelectric, solar, geothermal and wind power generation.  Of the four types of renewable energy the largest in the United States is hydroelectric power.  However, wind power has been making significant gains in the past couple of years.  The entire combine energy output of renewable energy has even surpassed the energy output of nuclear power in 2011.  This gives hope and leadership to the world that investing in clean and renewable energy is a well-justified investment. 

           However, the United States government still needs to take an active roll in supporting and promoting alternative energy ventures as other nations around the world vie to take leadership in the clean energy business.  For example the Chinese government has made tremendous investments in the alternative energy, almost double the US government?s investment, and has aggressive plans to supplement its own energy infrastructure with renewable energy sources.   However the race to promote and expand market share in products such as solar panels has led to frayed relations between the United States and China.  Recently the United States has lodged a formal complaint that Chinese companies have unfairly flooded the US market with cheaper pricing due to subsidies from the Chinese government.  Even though American companies are facing fierce competition with foreign companies for market share in the alternative energy business, the American government should continue and increase its investments in renewable energy firms.