Rewards of Ownership
“Community-based renewable energy projects can produce big benefits,” according to Julie Curti and Justin Goetz in their article “Rewards of Ownership” in a recent issue of Rural Cooperatives Magazine, published by U.S. Department of Agriculture.
They review various business models and sample cases for community-based renewable energy from around the world, finding that “Community ownership empowers local decision-making and maximizes the local economic benefits of renewable energy projects, as more money stays in the community than when outside owners are involved.”
They cite four phases that comprise a successful community development strategic planning process:
- Community assessment
- Strategic planning
- Implementation and benchmarking
- Evaluation
The article is available in an online version of the November/December 2008 issue of November/December 2008 at the USDA web site: