The Wind Energy Guide for County Commissioners, provide commissioners, planners, and other local county government officials with a practical overview of information required to successfully implement commercial wind energy projects in their county.

The guidebook provides readers with information on the following 13 topics: Brief Wind Energy Overview; Environmental Benefits; Wind Energy Myths and Facts; Economic Development Benefits; Wind Economics; The Development Process; Public Outreach; Siting Issues; Property Tax Incentives; Power System Impacts; Permitting, Zoning, and Siting Processes; Case Studies; and Further Information. For each of the topics listed, the guidebook provides an introduction that identifies the topic, why local government should care, a topic snapshot, how the topic will arise, and a list of resources that define and assess the topic.

Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)

WAPA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy that provides low-cost, reliable hydroelectric power and related services (including transmission lines) from federal dams in 11 states to some of Nevada’s non-regulated utilities. WAPA serves northern Nevada utilities via the Sierra Nevada Region and southern Nevada utilities via the Desert Southwest Region .

WAPA’s customers must periodically submit an Integrated Resource Plan (or an approved alternative) or a Small Customer Plan that includes plans for wind energy projects. The plans must include an action plan for the next five years. WAPA also requires an annual update to track progress.

On August 20, 1996, WAPA published its Renewable Resources Policy. The Policy states that WAPA shall establish a program to facilitate the voluntary use of renewable resources by WAPA's wholesale customers. WAPA shall provide technical expertise and marketing information, and act as a facilitator with WAPA's customers and renewable energy developers. The goal of the program is to identify customers that desire renewable resources in their generation mix, and provide the technical and marketing assistance required for them to fully evaluate the option.

Green power purchases

Through Renewable Resources for Federal Agencies, WAPA is helping Federal agencies gain the benefits from meeting some or all of their electricity needs with renewables. WAPA has coordinated several agencies in the purchase of renewable energy certificates--the environmental benefits of renewable generation sold separately from the power itself. These purchases allow agencies to pay a competitive price while supporting the market for wind, solar, geothermal and biomass development.

Renewable Workshops

In 2005, WAPA's Renewable Resource program completed a six-part Web cast entitled Guidebook to Expand the Use of Renewables in the Supply Portfolio. Approximately 30 electric utilities from across the nation participated in the series, including several WAPA customers. Co-sponsors included the APPA DEED Program, the U.S. Department of Energy GeoPowering the West program and the U.S. DOE Wind Powering America program.

With Wind Powering America, WAPA co-sponsored an Arizona Wind Symposium in January 2005 and a State Land Workshop in Arizona in March 2005.

WAPA’s four regional offices and the Colorado River Storage Project Customer Service Center sponsor technical assistance workshops for customers.

Renewable-Related Publications

WAPA publishes the bi-monthly Energy Services Bulletin, which details customer energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and other relevant energy services information for customers and interested parties. The Green Power Market Research News is a weekly news service that covers green power, renewable energy and related market research strategies.

Participation in Renewable Energy Organizations

WAPA and staff actively participate in many renewable energy organizations, including the Solar Electric Power Association, Utility Wind Interest Group, U.S. DOE Wind Powering America Program, the U.S. DOE GeoPowering the West Program and others to make the latest in renewable development and activities available to our customers.

WAPA’s Renewable Resources Program coordinates activities with national laboratories involved in conducting renewable resource research and development which may benefit Western customers. Laboratories including the Sandia National Laboratories, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, among others.

Transmission Studies

WAPA conducts transmission studies for utilities and agencies that want to interconnect with WAPA's transmission lines to wheel power from renewable sources to customers.

Public Renewables Partnership