Wind farms in the USA contribute $222m a year to farming families and other rural landowners, according to data released today by the American Wind Energy Association.
The data, which will be part of AWEA’s 2015 US Wind Industry Annual Market Report to be released on 12 April, showed that landowners in six states currently receive over $10m a year in lease payments.
Texas is ranked number one, followed by Iowa, California, Oklahoma, Illinois and Kansas. Landowners in 26 different states receive over $1m dollars each year, AWEA said.
It added that about 70% of rural wind farms in the US are located in low-income counties, meaning that the median household incomes fall below the US median household income.
AWEA said this share of wind development in rural areas represents more than $101bn in wind farm investment.
The data also showed that wind power saves about 226 gallons of water for every American each year.
AWEA chief executive officer Tom Kiernan said: “The rapid growth of wind energy largely benefits rural communities, including some of the most economically distressed parts of the US.
“Wind farms pay $222m dollars a year to US farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners, helping them to make ends meet, send their kids to college, or even keep that 100-year old ranch in the family.
“By continuing to grow this locally-made, drought-resistant cash crop, wind power can unleash even greater economic and water-saving benefits for these communities.”
Image: Smoky Hills wind farm in the USA (Enel)
US farmers reap wind’s benefits
AWEA data shows landowners in USA receive $222m a year from projects
By EBS