Community Owned

Texas to Build "World's Largest Community Wind Farm"

The Hale Community Wind Project is under development in Texas, and at 1.1 Gigawatts, may become the largest farm in the nation with this type of ownership structure.  The July issue of North American Wind Power cited the Windustry when describing the benefits community wind.

Community Wind projects get a boost from Washington State

Washington State August 30, 2010 The State of Washington has awarded Cascade Community Wind Company (CCWC) one million dollars (30% grant 70% low interest loan) to help install up to eight community wind turbines before December 2011.

Report Uses Cases Studies to Explore Community Wind

Lessons & Concepts for Advancing Community Wind, released by The Minnesota Project, seeks to advance the development of community-based wind projects in the United States by drawing keys to success and policy recommendations from three compelling Midwestern case studies.

Wind energy continues to experience double digit growth rates because of the relatively cheap technology and the widespread availability of wind resources, and numerous studies have now shown that locally-owned wind projects produce disproportionate benefits to the local community and region where they are built. This presents community wind energy development as a stand-out opportunity for communities across America to pursue locally-owned projects that will help meet their electricity needs and contribute to energy independence while also providing tremendous economic benefits. 

Report Contents:

  • Section I: Community Wind Case Studies
    • Winona County, MN
    • City of Willmar, MN
    • Miner County, SD
  • Section II: Keys to Success
    • Visioning & Planning
    • Project Leadership
    • Involving the Community
    • Financing & Pricing
  • Section III: Solutions for Advancing Community Wind
    • Dispersed Generation Studies
    • Siting & Permitting Standardization
    • Establishing or Improving C-BED Legislation
    • Rural Utility Service Loans
    • Investment Tax Credit or Cash Grant
    • Net Metering
    • Advanced Renewable Tariffs
    • Standard Offer Contracts
    • Increasing Renewable Portfolio Standards

Massachusetts Community-Scale Wind Initiative Funding

March 26, 2010 - 2:07pm -- Anonymous

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's (MassCEC) Community-Scale Wind Initiative awards grants for qualifying wind projects with a nameplate capacity greater than or equal to 100 kilowatts (kW.) A project is eligible for funding if it is located at a commercial, industrial, institutional, or public site, and if the electric system will be served by a Massachusetts investor-owned electric utility company or a Municipal Light Plant Department that pays into the Renewable Energy Trust Fund.

Economic Development Impacts of Community Wind Projects: A Review and Empirical Evaluation

“Economic Development Impacts of Community Wind Projects: A Review and Empirical Evaluation” by E. Lantz and S. Tegen, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in April 2009.

Community wind projects have long been touted (both anecdotally and in the literature) to increase the economic development impacts of wind projects, but most analyses of community wind have been based on expected results from hypothetical projects. This report provides a review of previous economic development analyses of community wind projects and compares these projected results with empirical impacts from projects currently in operation.

Read the Report

Community Renewable Energy Deployment Projects Funded by DOE

January 21, 2010 - 12:45pm -- Anonymous

Washington, DC, January 21, 2010 - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the selection of five projects to receive more than $20.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support deployment of community-based renewable energy projects, such as biomass, wind and solar installations. These projects will promote investment in clean energy infrastructure that will create jobs, help communities provide long-term renewable energy and save consumers money.

Stimulus Incentives Benefit Community Wind

January 5, 2010 - 9:49am -- Anonymous

A new report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reveals how the 30% investment tax credit (ITC) and cash grant equivalent have increased benefits for the development of Community Wind projects. “Revealing the Hidden Value that the Federal Investment Tax Credit and Treasury Cash Grant Provide To Community Wind Projects” analyzes the impact of new federal policies for wind farm investment incentives introduced this year as part of the U.S. economic stimulus program.

New Community Wind Financing Handbook

December 1, 2009 - 6:18am -- Anonymous

The Environmental Law & Policy Center has published an updated version of the Community Wind Financing Handbook. This guide reflects new financing opportunities available from federal energy and economic stimulus legislation, the new Farm Bill, and state incentives.

Community Wind Financing Handbook

Windustry Webinar - PTC, ITC or Cash Grant?

Webinar Series: Financing for Community Wind and Community Energy Projects

This is a recording of the first in a four-part webinar series at no charge that will provide attendees with vital information regarding Community Wind and Community Energy project financing in the new policy environment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Windustry Webinar

PTC, ITC or Cash Grant:
Where should a community wind developer begin?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

This webinar presented information about:

  • The opportunities relating to each incentive as outlined in the ARRA
  • What it takes to get a U.S. Treasury Cash Grant in lieu of tax credits, including:
    • How to access the funds
    • How and when to get project costs certified
    • What to expect in the application process
    • What the requirements are for submission

Moderator:
Lisa Daniels, Windustry

Panelists:
Jim Duffy, Nixon Peabody LLP
Forrest David Milder, Nixon Peabody LLP
Matt Ferguson, Reznick Group
Julie Newland, Reznick Group
Kevin Schulte, Sustainable Energy Developments

 

A transcript in Adobe Reader (PDF) format is also available in the link below:
Windustry Webinar Transcript

This webinar was presented by Windustry.
Windustry

In-kind sponsorship of this webinar was provided by National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), Nixon Peabody LLP, Reznick Group, and Sustainable Energy Developments (SED).

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Reznick Group
Nixon Peabody LLP Sustainable Energy Developments

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