I’m a landowner in Cascade County interested in learning about developing the wind resource on my land. How do I find out if my land is worth developing for wind energy?
The Cascade County Wind Marketing Program can help you learn about the wind resource on your property. Cascade County uses GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology to create electronic maps that layer wind potential, road system, transmission lines and topography data on one map. Cascade County can look up where your property is located and print you a map with these layers. The link to the online copies of the GIS maps is on the Homepage of this website.
Looking at the information on this map should be a first step in determining if you should pursue developing wind energy on your land.
A wind developer has contacted me about developing wind energy on my land. What should I know about wind energy, contracting, and getting the best deal? What resources are available to me?
Cascade County and the State of Montana have some great resources for you to learn about what your rights as a landowner are and what you need to know. The MSU Extension Services office in each county has information about land leasing for wind power in Montana. Extension agents have information about wind development and worksheets to help you analyze the information developers will give you. Wade Crouch is the extension agent in Cascade County working on wind energy. His contact information is available on the Contacts page of this website. The statewide Exstension website has answers to questions and links to important information as well at their website.
As well as these government programs there are national non-profit organizations that deal specifically with helping landowners deal with wind developers, such as Windustry based in Minnesota. Windustry has numerous resources on their website to help you learn about some of the issues that are important to discuss with wind developers looking to lease your land. Before entering any lease agreement to develop wind energy on your property you should seek counsel from an attorney with experience in wind lease negotiations.
I’m a landowner in Cascade County. What permits are required for wind turbines?
If you are looking to develop your own wind project permits are required from the County Planning Office. The type of permitting depends in which district the turbine will be located. In Light Industrial Districts (I-1) and Heavy Industrial Districts (I-2), wind turbines require a Location/Conformance Permit from the Cascade County Planning Office for $50. In Agricultural Districts (A-1 and A-2) wind turbines and a commercial wind farm are permitted with a Special Use Permit for $450. Wind Turbines are currently not permitted in county Residential Districts or Business Districts.
If you are dealing with a developer on your land, in most cases they will obtain all of the necessary permits.
I live in the city of Great Falls. Can I put a wind turbine on my property?
Yes, as of July 2008 wind turbines are allowed within the City of Great Falls provided certain conditions and standards are met through a permit application process. Contact the Great Falls Planning Department to learn more about the permitting process and current regulations.
What is net metering? Do we have it in Cascade County?
Montana state law (SB 409) requires all investor-owned utilities in the state to offer net-metering to all wind, solar or hydroelectric power systems that produce 50 kW of energy or less. In Cascade County NorthWestern Energy offers net metering for systems that are 50 kW or smaller and currently the county has a net metering contract with NorthWestern for the turbine at the new county shop. Click here for information about net metering with NorthWestern Energy.
The contact person at Northwestern Energy for net metering is:
Megan Kujawa | Regulatory Support Services | NorthWestern Energy
40 East Broadway Street, Butte, MT 59701
Phone: 406.497.3516 | Fax: 406.497.2084
Net metering is a contract with the local utility that allows customers with wind, solar, or hydroelectric systems to sell their excess energy to the utility when the system produces more energy than they need and to purchase additional energy from the utility when they are not producing enough from their own system. There are different ways that your utility may set up net metering or similar arrangements. These arrangements may use one or two meters. Make sure that you understand the details of your agreement with the utility.
With net metering in Montana, energy customers may chose their net metering yearly cycle. The cycle may begin on the first of January, April, July or October. Any net excess generation is credited to your next monthly energy bill and this net excess generation will accumulate and roll over from month-to-month until the end of your net metering year. At the beginning of the next net metering yearly cycle, any remaining unused kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit accumulated during the previous year is “trued up” or granted to the utility and your credits will be zeroed. It is important especially if you are using wind to power irrigation systems to match the end of your “true up” time with the farming cycle.
Net metering is voluntary for co-ops, however, all electric co-ops in Montana have net metering policies and do offer it. Check with your local co-op for their net metering policy.
What are the incentives to build wind power?
There are numerous federal and state tax incentives to build wind power as well as some utility incentives. To learn more about incentives at both the federal and state level go to the Montana State Wind Energy Page, the American Wind Energy Association, Montana Green Power or the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy.
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