Transcript:

Big solar and wind farms generate a lot of clean energy and create tax revenue for local communities.

Dingess: “Think about it as money that’s flowing in the community to help with … roads, essential services, EMS, things like that.”

Deborah Dingess is with Strategic Economic Research, a clean energy consulting firm.

She says sometimes, developers pay standard property taxes based on a project’s land and equipment value.

Other times, they pay a set amount each year as part of a negotiated, long-term contract. Some communities prefer this option because it provides more predictable revenue.

Either way, Dingess says that when clean energy projects are proposed, developers and governments should work out the details in a transparent way. She says it’s important for community members to clearly understand how much money will be generated and where it will go.

Dingess: “This portion of the property tax revenue is going to be going to your schools. This portion is going to be going to roads. … If you clearly show how the money flows and what the numbers mean, I feel like that helps build a lot more trust in the community.”

… and can help communities make informed decisions about proposed clean energy projects.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media