Developing wind will keep Kansas economically competitive - other states and countries are making enormous strides in building their renewable economies.
Renewables also provide alternatives during economic uncertainty. Prices for wind and solar are dropping while prices of fossil fuels are spiking.
There is also money to be made off the wind supply chain. Wind turbine manufacturers are looking to locate in wind-rich areas of the country – like Kansas – to cut down on transportation costs for their blades.
Examples of economic benefits:
Utility Wind
• Wind leases pay landowners $3-$10K per turbine per year.
• Wind developments offer new income for rural Kansas counties. Lincoln County’s share of the Smoky Hills Wind Farm (run by the Kansas-based Tradewinds) now comes to about $500,000 per year.
• It takes approximately two operations and maintenance personnel to run every 10-15 industrial sized wind turbines. A typical wind development has 50-75 turbines.
• Wind farm construction brings in lots of workers needing food and gas.
• Utility wind is compatible with local economic activities, such as agriculture, and doesn’t compete for critical resources like water.
Small wind. Microgeneration – producing power at your home or business – offers greater energy independence from the grid. Depending on your net metering policy (if your state has one), investments in equipment can usually be paid off in 3-10 years.
Municipal wind. Installing wind turbines gives small municipal utilities alternatives to expensive diesel generators, and a way to offset high prices for fossil fuel electricity.
Community wind. When a community owns part of a wind development, it keeps more local dollars close to home.
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