Agenda - Planning Commission - 08/06/2009

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Left without a solution readily at hand, the permit is denied, and you are stuck with high electricity bills and a dependency on conventional fuels. Your community misses the opportunity to increase clean, in-state generation, reduce the pressure on a stressed power grid, and employ local businesses to sell, install, and maintain these systems. Simply listing small wind systems as an allowed use (such as an accessory, permitted, or conditional use) can avoid this scenario that happens with startling frequency around the country. Other reasons to permit for small wind systems include: To Be Prepared. Many states4 _ carefully craft incentive programs to help consumers purchase small wind systems only to find that local zoning ordinances stand in the way of the systems' installation. Communities may wish to design zoning policy to anticipate and accommodate small wind installations, especially in states that try to encourage them. To Retain Autonomy. The states of California, Nevada, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, and New Hampshire have been the first to create statewide rules for the permitting of small wind systems. Whether to follow suit or preserve local autonomy, knowing how best to deal with this technology in your community is good long-t!=rm strategy. To Conserve Public Resources. Case- by-case application reviews and hearings cost time and money. Proactively planning 5 Sandia National Laboratory has begun development of strategic Energy Surety f"licrogrids http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/ .2006jmicrogrid.html for small wind installations can be a rewarding investment. A turbine's productivity is largely in the hands of zoning officials. For the Personal Benefits. Owners of small wind systems enjoy: .. Personal energy independence . Free electricity after recouping costs . Relief from high and volatile prices of other forms of electricity . Reliable electricity . Ability to support clean energy and fight global warming in a tangible way . Increased property values I1Distributed small wind energy systems... enhance the reliability and power quality of the power grid, reduce peak power demands, increase in-state electricity generation, diversify the sate's energy supply portfolio, and make the electricity supply market more competitive by promoting consumer choice. 11 - California Government Code, Section 65891.13 (a)(2) www.leginfo.ca. gOY /cgi-bin/ displaycode ?section=gav&group= 65001-66000&file= 65892.13 For the Public Benefits. Though the power generated by a small wind system is used only by a single residence or facility, the beneflts of wind power extend to the entire community. Community benefits include: . Reduced pressure on the local electricity grid . Increased security: can provide back-up power to strategic applications like police stations or hospitals for "hazard mitigation" purposess . Increased local energy independence . Increased property values . . Enhanced reliability and power quality of the power grid . Reduced peak power demands . Increased in~state electricity generation . Diversified energy supply portfolio . Reduced pollutants from traditional forms of energy . Increased market competition from more consumer choice . Increased visible indicators of community support for clean energy . Increased regional economic growth Manufacturers ask: "In which state should I base my operations?" The answer is: "States with the best policies. "