New Oklahoma wind farm brings economic benefits
Local communities near Enid, Okla., are seeing a boost in business as construction begins on the 235-MW Chisholm View Wind Project, according to the Enid News and Eagle newspaper.
Enid Regional Development Alliance Executive Director Brent Kisling noted that there are about 200 people currently working on the project, and patronizing local motels, stores and restaurants. In addition to the short-term lift to local businesses, though, he pointed to longer-term impacts of the wind farm: “The reason this is significant in the long term is two-fold. First, it’s about a $400 million investment in our area, and once that wind farm is complete, they will be the largest ad valorem taxpayer in the county. The second reason is each of those turbines pays a royalty to the landowner, similar to oil and natural gas royalties, and that’s a 20-year contract.
“This is going to generate millions of dollars into our economy in the form of royalty payments, and that’s all money that’s going to go to local retailers and the paychecks of people locally. It’s a significant long-term investment in our communities and our region.”
Electricity from the project will be sold to Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co. The Chisholm View Wind Project will consist of 140 1.68-MW GE wind turbines, and is expected to generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 80,000 Alabama homes, according to project developer TradeWind Energy. Currently, the project is owned by EFS Chisholm, a subsidiary of GE Financial Services, and Enel Green Power North America.
Related articles:
WindTV: ZF Wind Power's Georgia plant generates gearboxes and jobs, May 29, 2012
New York Times features museum benefiting from wind power, May 23, 2012
N.Y. port sees action due to wind power, PTC, May 9, 2012
Tax payments to S.D. counties illustrate impact of wind tax credit, May 8, 2012
WindTV: Colorado county gets big boost from wind power, March 26, 2012
WindTV: Wind power breathes new life into small Colorado town, March 21, 2012
Texas wind transforming oil country, March 7, 2012
WindTV: Wind power drives commerce in small-town America, January 24, 2012
WindTV: Wind power, Wyoming ranching go together, December 19, 2011
Wind power brings new-found income to local businesses, December 13, 2011
WindTV: Wind power generates good jobs for young people, December 6, 2011
Wind farms make 1st appearance in Ohio, 'churning up cash', October 17, 2011