Epicenter Mt. Pleasant, Courtney Jerome | September 9 Five years after Michigan’s largest wind farm began generating power in Isabella County, its economic effects are becoming clearer. A new analysis finds the project is generating millions in estimated annual lease revenue for landowners while expanding the tax base for local school districts, helping some payContinueContinue reading “Five years in, Isabella Wind Park revenue is reshaping local school and farm finances”
Author Archives: myrenewableresource
Local View: Data-center growth must come with clean energy
September 19 | Beth Soholot, Duluth News Tribune Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the digital revolution are transforming America’s economy, with data centers expanding as essential infrastructure. Across the Midwest, companies are racing to build the facilities that will power the technologies and industries of today and tomorrow. To strengthen our regions instead of strainingContinueContinue reading “Local View: Data-center growth must come with clean energy”
Iowa needs power and farmers need more certainty to build it
September 20 | Waylon Brown, Des Moines Register In rural Iowa, land is never just land. It is where your grandfather taught your father to straighten a fence post. It is where you learned to drive a tractor before you were old enough to drive a car. It is the field you check after aContinueContinue reading “Iowa needs power and farmers need more certainty to build it”
Farmland, Solar and Your Community: What Farmers Need to Know
Morning Ag Clips | Jeff Risley, May 22 KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Across rural America, farmers and ranchers are seeing solar projects proposed in their communities. If you’ve noticed survey stakes on a nearby property, spotted land agents at the local coffee shop or heard that a neighbor signed a solar or wind lease, you’reContinueContinue reading “Farmland, Solar and Your Community: What Farmers Need to Know”
Letter: Powering Iowa’s future with clean energy
NWest Iowa | Shane Bellefy, July 20 Growing up in northwest Iowa, I’ve seen firsthand how our strong agricultural heritage makes our state perfectly suited for clean energy. For decades, Iowa farmers have shown that clean energy and agriculture can work hand in hand. Wind turbines provide steady lease income, which can help keep familyContinueContinue reading “Letter: Powering Iowa’s future with clean energy”
Opinion | Clean energy is about affordability, jobs and independence
The Cap Times | John Imes, July 16 As America recognizes its 250th birthday, Wisconsin has an opportunity to shape the next chapter of its economic story. The decisions we make today about energy, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and infrastructure will determine whether our state remains competitive while keeping electricity affordable for families and businesses. AfterContinueContinue reading “Opinion | Clean energy is about affordability, jobs and independence”
Harvesting the wind empowers rural Iowa
The Gazette | Paul Lovell, June 13 June 15 marks Global Wind Day, an annual celebration of wind energy’s role in strengthening energy systems and local economies. Iowa proudly ranks second for wind energy generation nationwide, with wind turbines providing 64 percent of our electrical output. Wind has become a vital engine for local economicContinueContinue reading “Harvesting the wind empowers rural Iowa”
Wind energy brings clean power, profits to Minnesota farmers
Public News Service | June 30, Mark Richardson Wind energy generated about 25% of Minnesota’s electricity in 2023, with much of that power coming from turbines placed on farmland. Bill Gillen, a farmer and six-year participant in the Freeborn Wind Project in southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa, said wind power has been a welcome addition. “It allows us farmersContinueContinue reading “Wind energy brings clean power, profits to Minnesota farmers”
Renewable energy keeps Iowa’s communities vibrant
The Gazette | Steve Dodson, February 5 Renewable energy is a practical, sustainable, and financially sound solution for communities like Hiawatha. Securing strong, stable funding can be a struggle for public schools, which typically rely heavily on property owners and local families to support the education of our youth. By introducing an all-of-the-above energy strategy, projects like the Duane Arnold Energy Center andContinueContinue reading “Renewable energy keeps Iowa’s communities vibrant”
Solar restrictions threaten farmer property rights and rural economic growth
Washington Times | John Szoka, May 3 Local policies deny landowners ability to secure stable income and meet rising energy demand. In rural communities across the country, a consequential debate is underway over who gets to decide how farmland is used. Increasingly, local restrictions on solar development, including county-level bans and permitting roadblocks, are limitingContinueContinue reading “Solar restrictions threaten farmer property rights and rural economic growth”