Tri-State Wind
America’s energy independence and future are right in front of us. In fact, they’re blowing in the wind.
Across the Midwest and America, wind is generating low-cost, pollution-free energy. Wind creates economic opportunity for rural communities and reducing taxes on hardworking farmers and families. Wind helps fund schools and provide landowners with steady, reliable income. And wind is one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity today, helping customers save on their utility bills.
We know there are folks on both sides of this topic. Some don’t want to look at wind turbines, are worried about perceived health impacts, or are concerned about what this change would mean for their community.
Others look at wind energy in Gibson and Posey County differently. They see a big ($600 million) economic development opportunity that will create jobs, provide the largest single source of tax revenue for the counties (approximately $3 million per year for 30 years), rebuild roads, help fund schools and first responders, and help the Tri-State region play a leading role in the American energy future. All this with just 72-142 turbines spread across the 28,000+ acre project footprint.
Economic Benefits of Tri-State Wind
Total investment in Gibson & Posey Counties over the course of two phases of the project during a 30-year period.
More than $89 million in tax revenue for Gibson and Posey Counties over 30 years to support essential services like local first responders, schools, and more.
Additional county income can help reduce tax burden on residents and avoid tax increases to cover county’s projected shortfall.
More than $25 million paid for labor and construction companies, and a commitment to hire and spend locally when possible.
More than $25 million in stable, yearly lease payments to Gibson and Posey County family farmers, and landowners over 30 years, all while using just 1-2% of their land.
400+ temporary construction jobs; up to 25 long-term, good-paying local jobs; and a commitment to hire locally.
Several miles of local road upgrades at no cost to taxpayers.
Proposed
turbines:
72-142
(2 phases)
Energy
produced:
Power for
90K+ Homes
Total
investment:
$600
Million
Distance from any home:
Over
¼ mile
Land Use
- The turbines would share agricultural land with mostly corn and soybeans. The project site encompasses approximately 28,000 acres: 11,000 acres in Gibson Central; 17,000 acres in the Gibson West / Posey North area. While there are more than 28,000 acres in the project, each of the 72-142 turbines would only take up about half an acre – enabling participating farmers, and landowners to continue their current land use on more than 99% of the land in the project.
- RWE Renewables has 200+ lease agreements with 350+ leaseholders.
Property Values
According to the Energy and Policy Institute, “Studies find properties that host wind farms are worth more after turbines are installed. Nearby properties are unaffected…Ten major studies in three countries of 1.3 million property transactions over 18 years of data have found no connection between wind farms and property values. Yet the fear of property value loss persists and is exploited by anti-wind campaigning groups in their attempts to turn local populaces against wind developments.”
https://www.energyandpolicy.org/wind-energy-does-not-hurt-property-values/
Because the Tri-State Wind project will invigorate our local economy and create jobs, it is enthusiastically supported by organizations that represent businesses and residents of our community, including:
-
The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
-
The Isaiah 1:17 Project
-
The Laborers International Union, Local 561
-
The Sierra Club, Hoosier Chapter
-
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 16