High Country Energy encompasses the true definition of a community wind project. We are a C-BED (community based energy development) company. There are many developers out there, but few offer this local ownership-based model.
Many international developers will tell you that their wind developments benefit landowners by providing them with royalty or lease payments. While this does provide some benefit to the community, under this model, there is no chance for ownership, local participation, or influencing the project. This is not how High Country Energy operates. As a C-BED company, we give landowners the opportunity to influence a project. High Country Energy encourages community involvement fostering camaraderie and growth.
The Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) Tariff is a public policy instituted by the Minnesota legislature in 2005 to promote more locally owned wind energy facilities within the states. This statute permits utilities to pay for a higher rate of power during the first ten years in exchange for a lower rate during the second ten years. This improves the cash flow of community wind projects, helping landowners afford financing.
To be considered as a C-BED project in Minnesota, a limited liability company must be formed of entirely Minnesota residents with at least 51 percent of the total economic benefits over the life of the project going to the qualifying owners.
