How Policy Makers Can Support Wind Development
- Why is Wind good for Utah?
- Who is interested in Wind?
- What are other states and the federal government doing to support wind development?
- How can Utah policy makers support increased wind development in Utah?
1. Why is wind good for Utah?
Utah has the technical potential to develop nearly 2500 Megawatts of wind – this excludes sensitive lands, national parks and areas unsuited for wind development (i.e. the top of Mt. Timpanogos). This amount of wind would provide enough energy for over 660,000 average Utah homes and yield a net economic benefit of approximately $2.7 billion and over 1,110 long term jobs. These numbers reflect direct, indirect, and induced economic benefits. Source: US Department of Energy Wind Powering America Program and National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wind Energy provides numerous benefits to Utah citizens, businesses, and rural communities:
- Wind energy stimulates the economies of rural communities, adding to the tax base and providing new types of income. For recent wind economic impact studies, click here.
- Wind energy projects create new short and long term jobs
- Wind energy can keep farms and ranches in operation and rural communities alive, while providing a new cash crop to the landowners. Wind Powering America Rural Energy Brochure
- Wind energy diversifies our energy portfolio, which mitigates price volatility, provides a hedge against carbon risk, and reduces our independence on finite fossil fuels.
- Wind is cost-competitive with conventional energy resources
- Wind energy does not use or consume water during electricity generation and is already saving hundreds of billions of gallons each year. The least efficient water-cooled thermoelectric power plants use around 50 gallons of water per kilowatt-hour (kWh), as compared 0.001 gallon per kilowatt-hour for wind.
- Wind power is an inexhaustible resource, which helps conserves finite fossil fuels for future generations.
- Wind energy helps improve air, water, and environmental quality for our children and grandchildren.
- Homeowners & Small Businesses - small wind can help Utah citizens and businesses generate their own electricity on their home or business. With the right incentives, small wind can help Utahns reduce energy costs and provide a reliable source of power at a fixed rate. See the Small Wind Guide for additional information.
- Farmers, Ranchers, Rural Communities – Utah’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities located in Utah’s windy areas have adequate land and wind resources to accommodate medium to large-scale wind energy projects; these projects can provide significant economic benefits in the form of land lease payments, property tax revenues (paid by the developer), and new jobs. For more information, click here.
- County Commissioners – Wind power projects are good for a County’s economy; County Commissioners can help promote wind in their community and help attract new jobs and economic development. Download the Wind Guide for County Commissioners for more information.
- Schools – Wind projects can provide on-site electricity generation for schools, while providing new and exciting opportunities for education on energy and the burgeoning wind industry. For more information on Utah’s Wind for Schools Efforts, click here.
3. What are other states and the federal government doing to support wind development?
Domestic wind power has been installed across 35 states and delivers nearly 1% of the electricity consumed in the nation. In 2007, U.S. cumulative wind energy capacity reached 16,818 MW, which is power equivalent to the demand of 4.5 million U.S. homes. Wind power contributed more than 30% of the new U.S. generation capacity, and President Bush has suggested that wind has the potential to supply up to 20% of the nation's electricity.
The 20% goal is achievable, but it will require effort from all states and the federal government.
The federal government offers the following incentives for wind:
Strong incentives for wind power development:
- Incentives for wind industry facilities (i.e. manufacturing)
- Leadership from Governor and Legislature
- Collaboration among state government, universities & colleges, and industry to provide effective training and education for the wind energy workforce
- Utility incentives and green pricing programs
- Community leadership
More on what other states are doing to support wind development:
- A Survey of State Support for Community Wind Power Development
- Case Studies of State Support for Renewable Energy
- American Wind Energy Association – State Support of Wind
- Wind Powering America State Activities
4. How can Utah policy makers support increased wind development in Utah?
Utah has a number of policies in place to support wind energy development, along with other renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Click here for a list of current Clean Energy Policies and Initiatives.
However, additional incentives and programs are needed to improve Utah’s competitiveness, attract more wind energy development in Utah, and develop a robust wind energy industry in-state. Policy-makers should consider best practices in other states and look at adopting effective wind-related policies, such as:
- Community Based Renewable Energy Development (Minnesota)
- Clean Energy Development Fund (Colorado)
- Business Energy Tax Credit (Oregon)
- Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (Texas)
- Incentives for wind manufacturing facilities and/or wind energy industry (Oregon)
- Increased Production Tax Credit (Iowa)
- Model Wind Ordinance
- Comprehensive List of State Wind Energy Policies
Resources for local government and communities:
