USDA Farm Bill Winners
Winners of the USDA Farm Bill for uses with wind power, 2004-2006
Winners of the USDA Farm Bill for uses with wind power, 2004-2006
2006 Notice of Funding Availability
2007 Farm Bill Notice of Funding Availability
Traverse City, Michigan was the first municipal utility in the state to install a utility scale turbine in 1996.
Excerpt for this case study from the Michigan Energy Office.
Traverse City Light & Power Wind Generator
DESCRIPTION:
In June 1996, Traverse City Light & Power dedicated the first utility scale wind turbine generator in Michigan. The wind turbine is a Vestas model V-44, 600 kW generator and has a blade diameter of 144 ft. on a 160 ft. tower. The wind turbine has a variable blade pitch mechanism which can capture the most energy from winds. In average annual winds of between 14-15 mph the annual production from the wind turbine is estimated between 1.1-1.2 million kWh's which is enough electricity for approximately 200 average Traverse City homes. The capital cost of approximately $650,000 was partially funded by a $50,000 grant from the State of Michigan and the U.S. Dept. of Energy's State Energy Program.
This document lists a variety of useful resources related to wind energy lease and easement agreements. We will regularly update this document when we find new resources.
Click on the link below to read the bibliography.
The Wind Easement Workgroup developed a list of recommended policies and practices for facilitating orderly and sustainable wind energy development. These policies are designed to protect landowners, enhance economic development opportunities in wind energy, and broaden access to wind energy market information.
Click on the link below to read the document.
This short paper summarizes published information about compensation packages for landowners and discusses the factors that seem to drive compensation levels. It also highlights several more detailed stories about land agreements for specific projects around the country.
Click on the link below to read the document.
This expanded document covers wind energy land leases as well as wind energy easements and features updated information on provisions, recommendations, and items to watch out for.
Click on the link below to read the document.
This is a summary of Windustry's Leases and Easements Project. Click on the link below to read the summary.
This article from the Wind Powering America program is designed to assist in agricultural outreach efforts. The article gives a quick run down of things landowners should consider before entering into a lease or easement agreement with a wind developer.