Economic Development
Renewable Energy: Wind Power's Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities
This report was published by the GAO in September 2004. This report talks about current wind power generation in the U.S. and prospects for growth, economic contributions from wind power to farm income and rural communities in ten states, the trade-offs for farmers of owning a wind project vs. leasing land to a wind project, and the USDA's efforts to promote on-farm rural wind development.
Small Packages, Big Benefits: Economic Advantages of Local Wind Projects
This report by Teresa Welsh of The Iowa Policy Project was published April 2005. This report highlights three analyses that compare the economic development benefits of small-scale, locally owned generation to other larger capacity ownership structures and discusses the barriers and changes necessary to aid the development of small scale, locally owned wind generation, specifically in Iowa.
The Effect of Wind Energy Development on State and Local Economies
This publication was released by the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) in 1997, and describes the direct and indirect economic effects of wind power development through state and regional examples.
Renewable Energy in Indian Country: Options for Tribal Governments
This 1998 issue brief from the Renewable Energy Policy Project discusses how Tribal Governments can use renewable energy to meet the needs of rural electrification, economic development, environmental protection, and an expression of a commitment to balance the human and natural worlds.
The Work that Goes Into Renewable Energy
This report from the Renewable Energy Policy Project was released in November 2001. This report uses survey data to estimate direct jobs created by wind, photovoltaics, and biomass co-firing energy projects. Jobs are reported by skill type and occupational category.
Perspectives on an NWCC/NREL Assessment of Distributed Wind
This 2000 report out of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reviews an assessment of distributed wind generation and it's associated business, policy and technical issues, and includes action steps for facilitating the growth of distributed wind.
Assessing the Economic Development Impacts of Wind Power
This 2003 report from the National Wind Coordinating Committee uses three case studies to estimate the effects of wind energy development on local economies.
Renewable Energy: Long Term Benefits for Minnesota's Economy
This 2003 brochure was co-produced by the Minnesota Project, Windustry and the Soutwest Regional Development Commission.
Click on the link below to view the brochure.
