Zoned Out

August 3, 2015 Leave a comment


The Center for Rural Affairs released a report entitled Zoned Out: An Analysis of Wind Energy Zoning in Four Midwest States.
According to  Alissa Doerr, Center for Rural Affairs Legal Extern and author of the report, Zoned Out analyses different approaches to zoning commercial wind energy systems in four different Midwest states – Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. The report also broke down the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, and what makes for effective zoning standards.
“Wind energy zoning remains generally uncoordinated and subject to state and local regulations, resulting in a piecemeal approach where zoning standards vary between states and within states,” Doerr said. “In order for wind energy development to continue increasing, there must be an effective approach to wind energy zoning implemented that reduces inconsistency and unpredictability caused by the patchwork approach that is currently in place.  The key is finding the right balance between local and state control.”
To view or download a full copy of the report go to:
“As wind energy continues to grow rural economies and expand across the Midwest, controversies have arisen as well as questions from local communities,” continued Doerr. “How will this affect my community? What are the rules for wind energy development?”
“Zoning authorities must aim for efficient and effective standards, incorporating considerations from the local areas where wind development would take place,” Doerr added.
Doerr explained further that, the key to effective wind siting and zoning regulation is to strike the right balance between local and state control, avoiding some of the pitfalls for either approach, while trying to capture the benefits. Authorities at the state and local level must consider the pros and cons that can result from difference ordinances. The ideal balance should be focused on consistent standards that still allow for local autonomy.
“As wind power continues to play a bigger role in meeting our energy demands, it’s important that we craft regulations that incorporate local preferences and address local concerns, while also providing clear and consistent standards for developers.”

 

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Center for Rural Affairs: More wind energy

October 11, 2013 Leave a comment


Rural Leaders urge NPPD wind investment
Lyons, Nebraska – Today, the Center for Rural Affairs released a letter signed by 28 rural and small town community leaders in medicine, education, agriculture, business, economic development and the faith community, urging the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to make investments in rural and small town Nebraska’s energy future by purchasing locally produced wind power at today’s historically low rates.

“An investment in Nebraska wind power is an investment in the future of our communities, and that’s crucial to all of us,” June Simpson, Silver Hills Winery, Burt County, Nebraska

“The affordability of wind energy and the local economic development these technologies create, along with growing health concerns, all require that we take advantage of the present opportunity,” said Simpson.
According to Lu Nelsen of the Center for Rural Affairs, the NPPD board of directors will vote on Friday, October 11th, on increasing the district’s wind energy purchases.
“This is a crucial vote, because the NPPD board has a chance to have a much greater positive impact on our state and communities by increasing their investment in wind energy,” said Nelsen. “Wind energy has never been cheaper, increasing our investment now will help us move away from dirtier energy sources, and it brings economic opportunities to our rural communities. The same tired arguments, focusing on cost and intermittency, lose credibility each day as utilities in bordering states continue to invest in their local economies.”
The joint letter also focuses on the economic potential of wind energy development, and points out that, unfortunately, Nebraska ranks only 25th in installed wind capacity, far behind neighboring states like Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado but also behind such states as Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
“The economic development potential these investments create can be astounding,” added Patty Plugge, Burt County Economic Development Director. “Wind power installations result in total county-level personal income of approximately $11,000 per megawatt and create an additional 0.5 jobs per megawatt.”
“All of us depend on reliable, affordable electricity,” concluded Nelsen. “However, the $2.7 billion dollars Nebraskans spend annually to meet our electricity needs can be managed more productively. More of it should be invested in purchasing Nebraska wind energy.”
The joint letter to the NPPD board includes signatures of farmers, ranchers, small business owners, healthcare providers, and educators as well as community, civic and faith leaders from across Nebraska. The letter will be delivered today during the public session of the NPPD board of directors meeting in Columbus, Nebraska.

To view or download a complete copy of the letter and list of signatories, go to:  http://files.cfra.org/pdf/nppd-sign-on-letter.pdf

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