Per Wind Powering America, this operation in Spirit Lake, Iowa results in $20,000 to $25,000 profit per year. Revenue from property tax on the Foote Creek Rim Wind Plant in Carbon County, Wyoming provides 30% of the county budget.

Wind Energy Development and the Agricultural Community

The Wind Powering America team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory continues to develop and strengthen alliances with the agricultural sector and organizational alliances, including 25x'25, the American Corn Growers Foundation, and the National Association of Counties. In 2007, Wind Powering America began working with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters to provide monthly wind energy interviews for use on rural radio stations.

Agricultural lands in the United States are ripe for generating and utilizing renewable energy resources. With net farm and ranch income down and drought conditions throughout much of the United States, farmers and ranchers and others in the agricultural community are taking a serious look at how wind energy can become their new cash crop.

The agricultural community includes not only farmers and ranchers, but also rural community leaders such as banks, rural economic development organizations, rural businesses, agriculture cooperatives, agricultural extension, Chambers of Commerce, schools, county government, and other groups that make up rural America. (source: Wind Powering America)

 

Wind Powering America

Wind Powering America is a commitment to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States. This initiative will establish new sources of income for American farmers, Native Americans, and other rural landowners, and meet the growing demand for clean sources of electricity.

Through Wind Powering America, the United States will achieve targeted regional economic development, enhance our power generation options, protect the local environment, and increase our energy and national security. (source: Wind Powering America)

 

KidWind Project

The KidWind Project is a team of teachers, engineers and scientists committed to innovative energy education. Their goal is to promote the elegance of wind power through affordable tools and training programs that challenge, engage and inspire students of all ages. (source: KidWind Project http://www.kidwind.org)

 

The 25 X ’25 coalition

25 X ’25 is a broad coalition of business, conservation, and government representatives who share the following vision: by 2025, America's farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed and fiber.

Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program

EERE: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

U.S. Department of Energy

The Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program is leading the Nation's efforts to improve wind energy technology so that it can generate competitive electricity in areas with lower wind resources, and to develop new, cost-effective, advanced hydropower technologies that will have enhanced environmental performance and greater energy efficiencies.

Through program-sponsored research and development activities, the Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program enables greater use of two abundant domestic resources for electric power generation, helping stabilize energy costs, enhancing energy security, and improving our environment.

(source: U.S. Dept. of Energy EERE Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_technologies.html)