Community Benefit Agreements

Wind Energy Community Benefits Database

This searchable database reflects community benefit agreements (CBAs), community benefit funds, donations, and other forms of benefits from land-based and offshore wind energy developments in the U.S. compiled by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) from 2022 to 2024.

If you would like to submit a CBA that is not represented in this database, please email windcommunitybenefits@nrel.gov .

For more information about how community benefits are developed and the role they play in wind energy development, please visit the Wind Energy Community Benefits Guide. Learn more about the community impacts of wind farms.

What Forms of Community Benefits Does This Database Include?

Community benefits for wind energy projects can be structured in many ways, but the following categories are the most common and are the focus of this database:
Developers and representatives of a government or community may sign an agreement stating the benefits that will be provided from a project and detailing the mechanisms and timelines for delivering benefits. Terminology may vary, depending on factors like the type of infrastructure or who the signatories are. Common names or types include community benefit agreement, host community agreement, good neighbor agreement, and tribal benefit agreement.
Developers may provide payments, donations, or other financial benefits to a local or Tribal government outside of the bounds of a formal agreement; these are often one-time payments.
Developers may establish funds that distribute funding to different causes or recipients in the community over time, often through the form of grants. Terminology and structure may vary, with common names or types including community benefit fund, community fund, or scholarship fund.
Developers may directly donate or contribute to local organizations, programs, or causes in the community (e.g., schools, fire departments, community service organizations).
291 results Download
Project Name
State
County
Form of Benefit
Additional Form
Infrastructure Type
Number of Turbines
Generating Capacity (MW)
Year Built
Sundance Oklahoma Woods County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 72 200 2021
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Invenergy / AEP Renewables / Tradewind Energy / Public Service Company of Oklahoma

  • In 2023, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma donated $1,000 to the Alva Fire Department.

  • In 2024, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma donated $1,000 to the Woods County Sheriff's Office.

Sources

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Taloga Oklahoma Dewey County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 54 130 2011
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Clearway Energy Group / Edison

  • In 2022, the Taloga Wind Farm team sponsored the Energy at the Crossroads golf tournament in Seiling, which was held to raise funds for local economic development.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Thunder Ranch Oklahoma Kay County, Garfield County, Noble County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 120 298 2017
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Enel Green Power

  • Enel Green Power has supported local organizations and causes, including the Pioneer Technology Center, local firefighters, schools, and emergency responders; during the COVID-19 pandemic, Enel provided additional funds to first responders in Tonkawa, Red Rock, and Noble County.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Weatherford Wind Energy Center Oklahoma Custer County, Washita County Payment to government outside of an agreement Land-based wind energy project 98 147 2005
Developed, Owned, or Operated by NextEra Energy Resources

  • NextEra committed to providing the city $25,000 a year for community improvement projects. The city has used some of the funds to install a security and surveillance system.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Allegheny Ridge Pennsylvania Blair County, Cambria County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 40 80 2007
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Leeward Renewable Energy

  • Leeward Renewable Energy has donated to the Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Department in Portage, PA.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Armenia Mountain Pennsylvania Tioga County, Bradford County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 67 100.5 2009
Developed, Owned, or Operated by ALLETE

  • The Armenia Mountain wind farm has donated to local organizations, including the Mansfield Area Food Pantry, Troy Area Food Pantry, Troy Area Foundation, Two Scholarships, Endless Mountain Mission Center, Partners in Progress, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Mehoopany Wind Energy Pennsylvania Wyoming County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 88 140.8 2012
Developed, Owned, or Operated by bp / Sempra Renewables

  • Mehoopany Wind has supported community organizations and events, including a Harvest and Wine Festival and a $5,000 donation for July 4th Fireworks.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Meyersdale Wind Farm Pennsylvania Somerset County Fund Land-based wind energy project 20 30 2003
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Atlantic Renewable Energy / EDP Renewables

  • Meyersdale Wind established the Meyersdale Wind Farm Fund, which is associated with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and has given to the local library and scholarships. A local advisory committee determines where funds are directed.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
North Allegheny Project Pennsylvania Blair County, Cambria County Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 35 70 2009
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Duke Energy

  • Duke Energy donated $500 towards a new radio system for the Keystone Regional Fire & Rescue Department.

Source

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Santa Isabel Puerto Rico Santa Isabel Donation/support to local cause Land-based wind energy project 44 101 2012
Developed, Owned, or Operated by Pattern Energy

  • Pattern Energy contributed $500,000 to the Santa Isabel Medical Center; the donation helped fund an expansion of the medical center; purchase hospital beds, X-ray imaging, laboratory and office equipment; and make parking lot improvements.

Sources

Verified by WINDExchange on Aug. 1, 2024
Display results

What Forms of Community Benefits Are Not Included in This Database?

CBAs and related forms of community benefits may be provided alongside other agreements or economic impacts that serve different purposes, such as:

  • Land lease payments to landowners that host wind turbines.
  • Project labor agreements for construction of wind energy projects.
  • Taxes or tax agreements like payment in lieu of taxes (PILOTs).
  • Direct compensation to impacted stakeholders, such as commercial fishermen.

This database does not include these other types of wind energy benefits, as they differ from CBAs and related benefit mechanisms in several key ways; namely, the community benefits included in this database are unrelated to taxation, are intended to provide benefits to the community as a whole rather than a specific group of people, like landowners, and are separate from impact mitigation measures required by permitting agencies.