Potential Benefits

Wind energy development can potentially have environmental and economic benefits. Information about the potential benefits of wind power are listed below.

A 200 MW wind farm generates approximately $1,325,200 in property tax revenue annually. In a rural Nebraska county this would equal*:

• Approximately 39% increase in property tax revenue,
• Equivalent to approximately $6,626 per MW per year to the county,
• Of which, approximately $4,770 will be distributed to the local public schools.

Developing 1,000 MW of wind power in Nebraska**:

• Cumulative economic benefits: $1.1 billion,
• Annual CO2 Reductions: 4.1 million tons, and
• Annual Water Savings: 1,840 million gallons.

Increasing wind generation by 20% of the national electricity would benefit Nebraska by***:

• Creating ~3,100 long term jobs,
• Creating ~25,000 temporary jobs,
• Increasing property taxes revenues by ~$31 million annually, and
• Creating payments to landowners for leases of ~$21 million annually.

Grande Prairie Wind Farm

Geronimo Energy, LLC, the developer of a 400 MW wind farm under development in Holt County, Nebraska, compiled handouts identifying potential benefits.

• Economic Impact for 400 MW
• The Grande Prairie Community Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization, the purpose of which is to engage, assist, and contribute money (~$80,000/year) to support charitable activities.

Geronimo Energy Grande Prairie Wind Farm information available at: http://www.geronimoenergy.com/ourprojects/grandeprairie