Community Wind refers to locally-owned, commercial-scale wind projects that optimize local benefits. Locally-owned means that one or more members of the local community has a significant direct financial stake in the project other than through land lease payments, tax revenue, or other payments in lieu of taxes.
Community Wind accounts for more than 4 percent of the overall U.S. wind energy capacity with 1,521 MW (January 2010, Windustry) out of 35,170 MW total (January 2010, American Wind Energy Association/Windustry) for the country. Overall, new wind energy capacity in the U.S. for 2009 was estimated at nearly 10,000 MW compared to 8,500 MW added in 2008, a record high.
Many states increased their Community Wind capacity during 2009:
Alaska
Five small projects (under 1 MW) and one 4.5 MW project
California
L.A. Dept. of Water and Power added a 120 MW project
Iowa
Iowa Lakes Electric Coop added two 10.5 MW projects for on-site use
Maine
University of Maine added 660 kw
Fox Islands added 4.5 MW
Minnesota
Willmar Municipal Utilities added a 4 MW project
Hilltop Wind LLC (C-BED project) added 2 MW
Shakopee Mdewankton Sioux added 1.5 MW
MN Municipal Power Agency (MMPA Hometown Wind Power program) added a total 1.9 MW
Montana
added a 9 MW on-site project
Texas
Valero Energy installed 50 MW for on-site use at refinery
Washington
Turlock Irrigation District (public utility) purchased 136.6 MW project
Wyoming
F.E. Warren Air Force Base added 2 MW on-site
This is not a complete list and will be updated as information is available.