Economic Development Studies
Community wind can contribute to the economic development of a region by providing high quality jobs, creating and retaining wealth that can then be re-invested in the community. Numerous independent studies have quantified the economic impact of community wind projects. To learn more about these economic benefits of community wind, read the articles below.
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 vs. Corporate Wind: Does it Matter Who Develops the Wind in Big Stone County, MN?
This report reviews various business structures for community wind development, reviews previous studies on the economic impact of both wind development in general and the relative impacts of corporate and community wind development, and investigates the specific case of the economic impact of community vs. corporate wind development for a multi-turbine project in Big Stone County, Minnesota.
Comparing Statewide Economic Impacts of New Generation from Wind, Coal and Natural Gas in Arizona, Colorado and Michigan
This 2006 report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory assesses the direct economic impacts of constructing new electricity from wind, coal and natural gas in three different states. Initial results showed that new electricity generation from wind could be more economically effective than adding new electricity generation from gas or coal power and that new wind electricity generation keeps more dollars local.
A Comparative Analysis of Community Wind Power Development Options in Oregon
A Comparative Analysis of Business Structures Suitable for Farmer-Owned Wind Power Projects in the United States (November 2004) was prepared for the Wind & Hydropower Technologies Program, U.S. Department of Energy, by Mark Bolinger and Ryan Wise.
Small Packages, Big Benefits: Economic Advantages of Local Wind Projects
This report by Teresa Welsh of The Iowa Policy Project was published April 2005. This report highlights three analyses that compare the economic development benefits of small-scale, locally owned generation to other larger capacity ownership structures and discusses the barriers and changes necessary to aid the development of small scale, locally owned wind generation, specifically in Iowa.
Analysis: Economic Impacts of Wind Applications in Rural Communities
This report was released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 2005 and provides a compilation of data from studies of the economic impacts of wind farms on rural communities.
Electricity from the Wind: The New Cash Crop
This article from the Wind Powering America web site was designed to assist in agricultural outreach efforts and describes how wind energy can be a viable alternative income source for farmers.
Electricity from the Wind: Economic Development for Rural Communities
This is one article in a series prepared by the Wind Powering America program to support agricultural outreach efforts. This article describes how wind energy can be a boon for rural economies.
Renewable Energy: Wind Power's Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities
Published by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) in September 2004, this report examines the amount of electricity generated by U.S. wind power and prospects for its growth, the contribution of wind power to farmers' income and rural communities, the advantages and disadvantages for farmers of owning a wind power project versus leasing land for a project, and USDA's efforts to promote wind power in rural communities.
Renewable Energy: Long Term Benefits for Minnesota's Economy
This 2003 brochure was co-produced by the Minnesota Project, Windustry and the Soutwest Regional Development Commission.
Click on the link below to view the brochure.
The Facts on Wind: A Proven Economic Development Tool
This 2003 publication details facts and figures demonstrating the proven potential of wind for economic development in Minnesota.
Click on the link below to view the brochure.
Assessing the Economic Development Impacts of Wind Power
This 2003 report from the National Wind Coordinating Committee uses three case studies to estimate the effects of wind energy development on local economies.
Job Jolt
Job Jolt, an economic study by the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory for the Environmental Law and Policy Center, was published in November 2002. This report shows that the Midwest stands to gain significant jobs and income by switching to renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency. The report shows a real boost for the Midwest: up to 210,000 new jobs and $20 billion in additional economic output across the 10-state Midwest region by the year 2020.
The Work that Goes Into Renewable Energy
This report from the Renewable Energy Policy Project was released in November 2001. This report uses survey data to estimate direct jobs created by wind, photovoltaics, and biomass co-firing energy projects. Jobs are reported by skill type and occupational category.
Perspectives on an NWCC/NREL Assessment of Distributed Wind
This 2000 report out of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reviews an assessment of distributed wind generation and it's associated business, policy and technical issues, and includes action steps for facilitating the growth of distributed wind.
Renewable Energy in Indian Country: Options for Tribal Governments
This 1998 issue brief from the Renewable Energy Policy Project discusses how Tribal Governments can use renewable energy to meet the needs of rural electrification, economic development, environmental protection, and an expression of a commitment to balance the human and natural worlds.