New company bringing energy ownership to communities

It Takes a Village to Raise a Turbine: Making the Case for Community-Owned Windpower

by Francesca Rheannon

SocialFunds.com -- Wind is taking the lead in renewable energy, at least at this stage of technological development for renewables. In the United States, the dominant model for wind development is centralized, where utility companies build large wind farms in a few places and send the electricity over wires to power homes and businesses far away. Critics charge that a significant portion of energy is lost during transmission, but utilities say they have the economies of scale necessary for such large projects.

But another model exists: community owned wind power. Dan Juhl is a leader in community wind development. His company, Juhl Wind Development (OTCBB: JUHL.OB), is helping communities around the country get power through locally owned wind energy cooperatives. The company has developed approximately one hundred and forty megawatts—several hundred million dollars worth—of community-based wind projects. The company went public on June 25, 2008.

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