Windpower As A Rural Economic Development Strategy

Wind power accounted for only about one-tenth of 1 percent of total U.S.electric power generation capacity in 2003, but wind power capacityquadrupled between 1990 and 2003, and the Department of Energy hasprojected continued growth through 2025. However, most of the nation’swind potential remains untapped. Wind power’s growth will depend largelyon the continued availability of federal and state financial incentives,including tax credits, and expected increases in prices for fossil fuels.

For example, afarmer who leases land for a wind project can expect to receive $2,000 to$5,000 per turbine per year in lease payments. In addition, large wind powerprojects in some of the nation’s poorest rural counties have added muchneeded tax revenues and employment opportunities.

[Editor's note: The link below is to a 3MB PDF document.]

Thanks to Chris Steins