Clean energy offers a significant opportunity to diversify the rural economy while generating cheap, renewable power for rural homes and businesses.
Wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects help revitalize rural communities by taking advantage of their rich energy resources. New tax revenue from these projects help shore up local infrastructure, like schools and emergency services, while reducing the local tax burden on rural people. Meanwhile, farmers and landowners receive land-lease payments from project developers in an unpredictable farm economy. In addition, new jobs are created by the increased demand for local manufacturing and project operators.
To maximize the impact of clean energy development, a critical need arises for new and upgraded transmission capacity to carry renewable energy generated across wide geographic areas to consumers. Investing in transmission infrastructure creates new access to clean energy and allows rural economies in the Midwest and Great Plains to unlock their clean energy potential.
We aim to assist landowners and other rural stakeholders to ensure that clean energy transmission is built in an equitable, sustainable way—a way that works best for rural citizens and their communities.
Below you'll find links to resources the Center has created that address specific issues related to clean energy and an interactive map highlighting clean energy work in rural communities.
Wind, solar, and transmission siting library
To assist stakeholders in conversations about the siting and development of renewables and electric transmission, the Center has created resources that address specific issues often raised during the development process.
Find those resources in our siting library.
Energy efficiency
Fact sheets
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for Nebraskans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para Residentes Nebraska
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for Iowans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para Residentes de Iowa
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for Minnesotans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para Residentes de Minnesota
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for South Dakotans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para los Habitantes de South Dakota
Tax revenue and other economic benefits
Fact sheets
- Minnesota Wind Energy Tax Revenue
- Minnesota Solar Energy Tax Revenue
- Renewable Energy and You: Community Benefits
- Renewable Energy and You: Declining Cost
- South Dakota solar energy tax revenue
- Nebraska Nameplate Capacity Tax
- North Dakota Wind Energy Tax Revenue
- South Dakota Wind Energy Tax Revenue
- Iowa Wind Energy Tax Revenue
- Nebraska Wind Energy Tax Revenue
White papers, reports
- Empowering Rural Development through Community Benefit Agreements
- Windswept Fields of Opportunity: Iowa Wind Energy County Tax Impact Studies
- Report Recap: Windswept Fields of Opportunity: Iowa Wind Energy County Tax Impact Studies
- Industry on the Prairie: Minnesota Wind Energy Production Tax Impact Studies
- Resource guide: Taxing Utility-Scale Solar Projects in Iowa
- Powering Iowa: Rural Perspectives on Iowa's Renewable Energy Transformation
- Report Recap: Powering Iowa\
- Generation and Delivery: The Economic Impact of Transmission Infrastructure in Rural Counties
- Powering Iowa: Rural Perspectives on Iowa's Renewable Energy Transformation
- Report Recap: Powering Iowa
- Generation and Delivery: The Economic Impact of Transmission Infrastructure in Rural Counties
Nebraska resources
Fact sheets
- Renewable Energy and You: Community Benefits
- Nebraskans have opportunity in untapped solar potential
- Fact Sheet: Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in Nebraska
- Nebraska Wind Energy Tax Revenue
White papers, reports
- Review of Wind Energy Setbacks: Commonalities and Differences Among Three States
- Nebraska Solar Siting Guide: A Roadmap for Counties
- Exploring Siting Guidance: Agriculture Siting Matrices Inform Renewable Energy Siting
Webinars, blogs, other resources
Iowa resources
Fact sheets
- Solar industry poised for growth in Iowa
- Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in Iowa
- Iowa Wind Energy Tax Revenue
White papers, reports, guides
- Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland
- Review of Wind Energy Setbacks: Commonalities and Differences Among Three States
- Windswept Fields of Opportunity: Iowa Wind Energy County Tax Impact Studies
- Report Recap: Windswept Fields of Opportunity: Iowa Wind Energy County Tax Impact Studies
- Resource guide: Taxing Utility-Scale Solar Projects in Iowa
- Iowa Solar Siting Resource Guide
- Exploring Siting Guidance: Agriculture Siting Matrices Inform Renewable Energy Siting
Blogs
- Microgrid system aims to improve Iowa community’s energy reliability, resilience, and affordability
- Solar power grows in Iowa: Taking the long view
- Dual-use solar means healthier Iowa honeybees
- Beginning rancher: solar grazing partnership was ‘perfect opportunity’ to gain experience
- New tool emerges in helping Iowa communities map out wind, solar
Videos/webinars
Minnesota resources
Fact sheets
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for Minnesotans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para Residentes de Minnesota
- Minnesota Wind Energy Tax Revenue
- Minnesota Solar Energy Tax Revenue
White papers, reports
- Sifting through Solar: Land-Use Concerns on Prime Farmland
- Industry on the Prairie: Minnesota Wind Energy Production Tax Impact Studies
Blogs
- Renewable energy investments offer opportunities for Prairie Island Indian Community
- Project FINE uses education, engagement, to embrace energy efficiency initiatives
- El Proyecto FINE utiliza la educación y atracción para adoptar iniciativas de eficiencia energética
- Minnesota sets framework to accelerate renewable energy transition
- Solar advocate says Tribes can lead the way on clean energy
- Transmission congestion is costing rural communities
- Bright future: Solar investments offer major cost savings for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
South Dakota resources
Fact sheets
- Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)
- Sunshine without net metering
- Energy Efficiency Offers Savings for South Dakotans
- La Eficiencia Energética Ofrece Ahorros Para los Habitantes de South Dakota
- South Dakota solar energy tax revenue
- Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in South Dakota
- Solar energy presents opportunity for South Dakota
White papers, reports
Blogs