Wind Financing Resources

2004 Guidebook of Funds and Incentives for Distributed Energy Resources

Covers federal, state and utility grant programs, renewable energy funds, tax incentives, and rebates available to energy service companies, developers, and businesses interested in implementing distributed energy resource projects.

Commercial Renewable Energy Federal Grants, 2010

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enables businesses to receive Grants for incorporating Renewable Energy equipment.  In addition to Federal Tax Credits, the Federal Grant program has paid 192 businesses over 1.5 Billion dollars to date.  The commercial grant applies to Solar Thermal, Solar Electric, Geothermal, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Fuel Cell, Biomass and Wind Generated Electric systems.  The applicants receive grants for 30% of the total cost.  Qualifying projects should begin construction during 2010.  Applications should be submitted as soon as possible.  Further details on the Commercial Grant Program can be found at this webpage, produced by Harvey's Plumbing and Heating of Bozeman.

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

A comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Searchable by state, keyword, and topic area.

Energize Montana

Maintained by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, this website includes an explanation of tax incentives available in the state, net metering laws, and more.

PDF iconGreen Sense: Making Sound Renewable Energy Choices

This publication provides information on how to submit a proposal to NorthWestern Energy for a small-scale renewable electric energy generation project. It is intended to serve as a guide, and some of the material may not be relevant to your project or renewable energy (RE) system.

Montana Incentives for Renewable Energy

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality website features this guide to state tax benefits for conserving energy, producing and using alternative energy, and recycling. Tax forms and instructions can also be downloaded from the Department of Revenue website.

National Association of Regulatory Commissioners

Aims to provide utility customers with energy services that are environmentally sustainable and affordable. The committee analyzes, develops, and advocates market structures and regulatory frameworks that support and promote energy efficiency, environmental protection, renewable and distributed resources, consumer protection, low-income weatherization and assistance, and "public interest" research and development.

Solar and Wind Easements

Montana's solar and wind easement provisions allow property owners to create solar and wind easements for the purpose of protecting and maintaining proper access to sunlight and wind. While 32 other states have solar easement provisions, only three other states have created specific provisions for the creation of wind easements. Montana's solar easement law was enacted in 1979 and the wind easement was enacted in 1983. For more information, contact Tom Livers, DEQ, at 406-444-6776.

Universal System Benefits Programs

The 1997 Montana Legislature, in enacting the Electric Utility Industry Restructuring and Customer Choice Act (EUIRCCA), established universal system benefits (USB) programs. The purpose of the USB fund is "to ensure continued funding of and new expenditures for energy conservation, renewable resource projects and applications, energy conservation measures for irrigated agriculture, and low-income energy assistance during the transition period and into the future." USB programs are public purpose programs that include:

  • cost-effective local energy conservation
  • low-income customer weatherization
  • reducing energy costs of irrigated agriculture in Montana through conservation and
  • efficiency measures
  • renewable resource projects and applications, including those that capture unique social and energy system benefits or provide transmission and distribution system benefits
  • research and development programs for energy conservation and renewables market transformation to encourage competitive markets for public purpose programs
  • low-income energy assistance

Learn about NorthWestern Energy's USB program.

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