Economics of Wind Energy
Wind Energy's economic ripple effect

Estimated impacts to the Great Lakes Region by 2030
from 97 GW of new wind development, according to the 20% Scenario*

Direct Impacts

Landowner Revenue:
· $262 million/yr (number not including ANY local ownership)

Local Property Taxes:
· $58,700/yr

Construction Phase:
· 145,000 new jobs through 2030
· $19 billion to local economies

Operational Phase:
· 21-23,000 long-term O&M jobs
· $2.1B/yr to local economies

Indirect Impacts

Construction Phase:
·58,000 jobs through 2030 · $5.7 B to local economies

Operational Phase:
·5,500 long-term jobs · $621M/yr to local economies

Induced Impacts

Construction Phase:
·88,000 jobs through 20 · $9B to local economies

Operational Phase:
· 13-15,000 long-term jo · $1.4B/yr to local economies

Click here for more information about the economics of Wind Power http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/wpa/econ_dev.pdf
Benefits
Community Wind Projects
  • Local ownership of the project
  • Provides new Cash Crop for Farmers not tied to Traditional Commodities
  • Keeps Energy Dollars and electricity sales revenue in the Community
  • Stimulates Economic Development in Rural Areas
  • Creates New Jobs for Local Communities
  • Provides Long Term, Low Cost Clean Sustainable Energy
  • Creates bigger economic opportunity for farmers, local investors, industry, and local businesses
  • Local tax revenue (Lincoln County collected $471,822 from 156 MW in 2003
  • Builds more local support for wind energy by keeping more of the benefits close to home

Meet Community Needs
Meeting 20% of the nation's electricity demand with wind energy will lead to enormous benefits to rural landowners and towns, the manufacturing sector, and infrastructure across America!

More Information
Click here for more information about the economics of Wind Power.