Northwest Wind Resource & Action Center Distributed/Community Wind Work Group Meeting Wednesday, May 6, 2015 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Mountain Time In‐person Location: Montana Weatherization Training Center 705 Osterman Drive, Bozeman, MT Remote Participation Info: Presentation access: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1831247976571834113 Call‐in number: 712‐432‐1500, Passcode: 872009# Meeting Objective: Network with others who are currently active in the distributed/community wind sector in the region. Get updated on the current issues and activities affecting this market segment. 12:30 pm Arrive, informal networking (light lunch provided) 1:00 pm Welcome & Introductions (webinar/conference call connection will start at this time) 1:15 pm Overview [Mia Devine, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSEED)] For those new to the group, Mia will provide an introduction to the Northwest Wind Center and activities of the Distributed/Community Wind Working Group. U.S. Department of Energy’s Distributed Wind Strategy [Bret Barker, New West Technologies] Bret is strategic advisor for distributed wind for DOE and will provide an overview of DOE’s interest, 1:30‐1:50 priorities, and current activities related to distributed wind. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback/ recommendations on DOE’s strategy. 1:50‐2:15 2:15‐2:20 2:20‐2:50 2:50‐3:20 3:20‐3:50 3:50‐4:00 Community Wind Case Study: Gordon Butte, MT [Bryan Rogan, Oversight Resources] Hear how three Montana entrepreneurs developed a 9.6 MW wind farm with little prior wind development expertise. Not only is this project owned by Montanans but was constructed and financed by Montana‐based companies. Presentation will include a discussion of opportunities and challenges for developing similar projects. Break Wind Leasing [Russell Tencer, United Wind] United Wind is the first company to offer a little‐to‐no money down leasing option for small wind installations. Instead of purchasing a wind turbine themselves, landowners can pay a fixed monthly amount to United Wind in exchange for the installation, operation, and maintenance of the wind turbine on their property. United Wind will explain their leasing product and process, provide an update on their activity in New York, and discuss opportunities for the Northwest. Permitting and Zoning [Mia Devine, Northwest SEED] The permitting process for distributed wind energy projects can vary greatly from county to county, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies for both permitting agencies and their constituents. Mia will present a draft permit toolkit that jurisdictions can use to adopt wind‐friendly permitting best practices. The audience will be invited to provide feedback on improving and distributing the toolkit. New Opportunities in Net‐Metering [Jarod Bishop, EWT] EWT is a global manufacturer of mid‐sized wind turbines designed for the decentralized energy sector. Jarod will introduce his work evaluating the feasibility of net‐metered mid‐sized wind turbines at dairy farms, alfalfa irrigators, and food processing facilities. Attendees will be encouraged to brainstorm other near‐term opportunities for net‐metered wind systems and identify specific actions that can lead to significant deployment of distributed wind in the region. Wrap up discussion and next steps