Policy - Local Level
Nebraska Farmer's Union Convention
The theme of this year's convention will focus on renewable energy economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
Ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, carbon sequestration, and farmer- and community-owned wind (technology) each represent a new renewable energy based market with new sources of revenue.
In order to maximize the long-term economic benefits of these new value-added renewable energy opportunities for rural communities, the converence will focus on farmer and community ownership of this new renewable energy development.
Harvesting Clean Energy 8
The Harvesting Clean Energy Conference is the Northwest’s premiere gathering for agriculture and energy interests working to advance new opportunities for agriculture producers and rural communities in clean energy production. Clean energy offers real solutions – financial and practical – for our farmers, ranchers, rural utilities and towns, tribes, and regional economy.
Property Taxation of Wind Generation Assets
"Property Taxation of Wind Generation Assets," North American Windpower, May 2006, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 31-34. This article, written by Warren Ault, summarizes research he did for Windustry in 2005 into the actual and potential local economic benefits of wind power, focusing particularly on a survey of the varieties of approaches throughout the United States to the use of local property taxes. Click on the link below to download a PDF copy of the article.
Small Wind System Ordinance
This model ordinance for small wind systems comes from Renew Wisconsin. Click here to download the model ordinance.
Wind Energy: Model Ordinance Options
This publication from NYSERDA outlines considerations for ordinances related to wind energy. Click here to download the document from the NYSERDA web site.
Permitting Small Wind Turbines: A Handbook
This guidebook from AWEA discusses permitting for small wind energy systems. Click here to download the guidebook from the AWEA web site.
Mason City, IA Zoning for Wind Energy Conversion Systems
Mason City, IA has this ordinance related to zoning of wind projects. Click on the link below to view the ordinance.
Minnesota Model Wind Ordinance
Several counties in Southwestern Minnesota have developed a model zoning ordinance wind systems under 5MW for other counties in the state to refer to. A downloadable version of this Model Wind Ordinance is available along with a Companion Document to the Minnesota Model Wind Energy Conversion Ordinance.
Wind Energy Guidebook for County Commissioners
Wind Energy Guidebook for County Commissioners
2006: Prepared for the U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy & National Association of Counties (NACO)