Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byHugo Kennedy Modified over 9 years ago
1
Cathy L. Hartman, Ph.D. and Edwin R. Stafford, Ph.D. Co-Directors Center for the Market Diffusion of Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Western Extension Directors Conference Thanksgiving Point, Utah April 1, 2009
3
Dean Davis, Windward Engineering -- “small turbine” test site Class 6 – “outstanding” wind resources
4
Davis contacts Tracy Livingston of Wasatch Wind
5
Wind Project Development Space frame towers Crane-free “Hi-Jack” system
6
Spanish Fork is not on the map!
7
Municipal, state, and federal policies Siting issues Market uncertainties Turbine shortage Procuring investors NIMBY – Community concerns
8
April 2005 – Wasatch Wind distributes 3000 flyers to residents within one mile of site Only 50 residents attend meeting Livingston presents plan
9
Noise level at 50 decibels = traffic noise on nearby Highway 6 between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. Avian study – no threat identified
10
Land leases Property tax revenues Dividends to investors Reduced coal-fired power pollution
11
“… the ugliest and most ungodly thing you’ve ever seen.”
12
“… with windmills, I can see the mountains. With haze from coal plants, I can’t see the mountains.”
13
Wasatch Wind applies for re-zoning Residents, again, divided: “It’s going to detract from our mountains” “It will be an improvement as the gravel pit is already an eyesore” “It is a better alternative to mass suburban development”
15
Destined to become the nation’s most urbanized wind project!
16
Negotiation of power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rocky Mountain Power (2004-06) Procurement of equity investors
17
Monopoly utility for most of Utah – Not a free market! Key issues: ◦ No established cost-determination method ◦ Needed to set Utah pricing policy
18
Avoided cost – “old coal versus new wind” Livingston’s breakeven 6 cents per kWh
19
Avoided cost – “old coal versus new wind” Livingston’s breakeven 6 cents per kWh Rocky Mountain Power offers only 4.7 cents per kWh Public Service Commission steps in
20
Least Cost/Least Risk Mandate Old coal was cheaper than new wind – but is it less risky? Livingston argued that “least cost” mandate emphasized “plan for today, but not for the future”
21
Livingston procures 5 to 6 cent per kWh deal with RMP Delay results in loss of key investor, John Deere
22
January 2006, local TV channel re-broadcasts the April 2005 zoning approval meeting…
23
Re-broadcast sparks public outcry – citizens demand moratorium
24
“Monstrous, colossal, shocking…” Property values “will plummet … if turbines are erected” “I’m not against ‘green energy,’ but we’ve been poorly informed”
25
“Monstrous, colossal, shocking” Property values “will plummet … if turbines are erected” “I’m not against ‘green energy,’ but we’ve been poorly informed” Livingston caught completely off-guard!
26
Spanish Fork wind project – his first order of business! Mayor Thomas asks residents to: “Open your mind up and let one word in … think – options!” Appoints a three-member resident board
27
Spanish Fork wind project – his first order of business! Mayor Thomas asks residents to: “Open your mind up and let one word in … think – options!” Appoints a three-member resident representative board March 2006, compromise reached – wind park to move up the canyon !
28
City had to annex new project location New land leases had to be signed Water well issue had to be approved
29
Time delay cost Wasatch Wind an additional $300,000, but … The process brought greater trust between Wasatch Wind and the residents of Spanish Fork
30
In 2006, legislature fails to renew the sales tax credit Legislature eventually renewed the credit in 2007… however…
31
Falling dollar drives up costs (increased 17% in 2006 and another 14% in 2007) Turbine shortage due to booming growth – 18 month back-order (imported from outside U.S.)
32
Spanish Fork offers 70 percent property tax reduction “We’re going to rebate something we never would have gotten in our lives, and we get to keep a big chunk of it, so it was a no-brainer.” Mayor Joe Thomas
33
Takes over project Tracy Livingston and Wasatch Wind continue to be advisors
34
September 2008
35
Outreach and engagement – policymakers and citizens within the “view shed” of the project
36
Build relationships with local champions – Dean Davis, Mayor Joe Thomas, ex-foes
37
Outreach and engagement – policymakers and citizens within the “view shed” of the project Build relationships with local champions – Dean Davis, Mayor Joe Thomas, ex-foes Explore compromises
38
Outreach and engagement – policymakers and citizens within the “view shed” of the project Build relationships with local champions – Dean Davis, Mayor Joe Thomas Explore compromises Persistence
39
Construction ◦ $4 million in economic output during construction ◦ Supported 38 jobs, totaling $1.4 million Operations in 2009 ◦ $74,000 land lease payments ◦ $112,000 local property taxes* ◦ $84,000 for Nebo School District* ◦ Supports 7 jobs total (2 on-site) ◦ $576,000 in economic output * Reflect 70% revenue reduction incentive
40
Energy Transportation Buildings Marketing & Public Policy Cathy L. Hartman Edwin R. Stafford
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.