Community Wind is a form of “C-BED” (Community Based Energy Development)
In 2005, the Minnesota legislature passed an omnibus energy bill which included important new mechanisms to support community wind. This system, known as C-BED, is intended to make it easier for community wind projects to be successful without putting an excessive burden on utilities. It accomplishes this by requiring utilities to create a new tariff utilizing a net present value rate for electricity, and the option of front-loading the rate in the first half of the contract's lifespan.
Historically, landowners in rural areas had only one option to benefit from the development of wind farms in their community and that was to lease their land to large wind developers. These large and usually foreign-based developers would then sell the wind energy to the utility company and retain a majority of the project's profits.Juhl Wind Inc. provides a better alternative for local communities by specifically concentrating on C-BED projects that are locally owned by farmers, investors, businesses, schools, utilities, or other public or private local entities. As a result, the C-BED or Community wind projects keep more dollars in local communities, preserve local energy independence, and protect the environment. Community wind projects average 10 - 20 turbines and can produce enough energy to power over 6,000 homes. C_BED has picked up considerable traction and growth as legislation is adopted in more states, making it possible for the local communities to not only lease their land but to take ownership in the projects.
The key feature of community wind is that local community members own and have a significant financial stake in the project beyond just land lease payments and tax revenue. Community wind projects can be any size, ranging from a single turbine to more than twenty, yet typically serve local communities or consumers. The key feature is that local community members have a significant, direct financial stake in the project beyond land lease payments and tax revenue.
