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
