Energy choices for Communities – Locally-Supported Wind Projects

Rejection of a wind project in East Haven and a preliminary negative finding about a 20-turbine wind farm in Sheffield have put the brakes on most large-scale wind proposals in the state. So this might be a good time for the renewable energy community — the wind power sector in particular — to step back and consider another option.

This other option falls between the large-scale commercial wind farm and the small-scale backyard wind turbine, and it has been described as "the third way." This middle strategy, also referred to as community-supported wind, relies on somewhat smaller-scale projects that are developed, sited, and owned by members of the local community rather than out-of-state corporate entities.

Community-supported wind could fill a huge gap in Vermont’s present wind power sector. And this approach is not limited to wind power, but can be applied to virtually any type of local renewable energy project, such as solar panels, biogas digesters, a variety of biofuels, and small-scale hydro.

When applied to a wide variety of renewable energy technologies, this strategy is known as community-supported energy (CSE). CSE projects are somewhat similar to community-supported agriculture. The main difference, however, is that instead of investing in potatoes, carrots, or cucumbers, local residents invest in projects that provide greater energy security and a wide variety of other benefits.

Full Story: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS/608090315/1039/OPINION03