Greensburg Wind Farm by NativeEnergy
- Type
- Grid-connected wind
- Location
- Greensburg, KS
- Project by
- NativeEnergy
UPDATE: Greensburg has been named Best Wind Project of the Year, 2011 by Renewable Energy World!
Greensburg, Kansas is on its way to becoming the “greenest town in America” as they rebuild after a devastating EF-5 tornado. This small town is turning into a hopeful example of the new green economy America needs.
The Greensburg Wind Farm consists of 10 turbines that each stand as tall as a 35-story building, with rotors equal to the wingspan of a Boeing 747. Greensburg supplies 100% of the town’s homes and businesses with clean, renewable electricity—-with capacity to spare.
As featured on MSNBC
How are the carbon offsets generated?
For every kWh of renewable electricity generated, one kWh less is generated by fossil fuel power plants. Offsets are only sold from electricity production in excess of what the town of Greensburg uses.
Read more about how carbon offsets are created
What’s the community and social value?
In May 2007, 95% of Greensburg was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado. The community has found meaning after this tragedy in becoming leaders and models in the sustainability movement. This 10-turbine wind farm supplies enough clean electricity to power all the homes, businesses, and municipal facilities in Greensburg, and more. The project has helped attract national media attention, new business development, and create local jobs. Several farm families receive direct economic benefits from hosting the turbines.
Daniel Wallach, the Executive Director of Greensburg GreenTown, explains that this move toward sustainable development is not about a transformation to “treehuggers.” It’s about getting back to the original values of Beltway farmers and ranchers, people who naturally recycle and don’t waste. “This is about clean air, clean water, and energy independence.”
How is this project additional?
The small town of Greensburg lacked access to capital, and the small project lacks economies of scale. The commitment to purchase the wind project’s carbon offsets up front covered the deficiency. Carbon revenues from your purchase help enable the successful completion of this project.
Read more about ‘additional’ carbon offsets
Photo credit: NativeEnergy