Date of Graduation
Spring 5-16-2025
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Energy Systems Management
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Energy Systems Management
First Advisor
Jalel Sager
Abstract
Community ownership structures for wind farms have been around for decades, particularly in European countries, due to high socioeconomic benefits. Given these significant benefits, one might expect community wind to thrive in the United States—especially in a state like California, which prides itself on progressive climate policy and renewable energy leadership. Yet utility-scale community wind remains largely absent from research on California’s energy system, raising questions about its existence in the state. To pinpoint how many utility-scale community owned wind farms are in California, this study surveys every operational wind turbine in the state. After classifying each wind farm by ownership type, analysis reveals the majority are owned under corporate structures and none under community or cooperative ownership types. To explain these results, this study explores the policy landscape influencing the development of utility-scale community wind projects. First, analyzing the different policy landscapes between the US and Europe, revealing a policy vacuum concerning federal wind incentives applicability to community wind. This lack of cohesive federal incentives has led to fragmented state policies, with a few states excelling in creating accessible, affordable, and safe community wind markets. However, California’s absence of targeted financial incentives, combined with a fragmented and burdensome regulatory framework, has made it an inhospitable environment for community wind. The local ownership of utility-scale wind energy projects has the potential to uplift the economic conditions of rural and tribal communities throughout the state. However, without meaningful policy reform, California remains an unlikely candidate for community-owned wind development, despite its vast wind resources and progressive climate goals.
Recommended Citation
Berry-Weiss, Sky, "Who Owns the Wind: The Absence of Community Wind Farms in California" (2025). Master's Projects and Capstones. 1913.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1913
Included in
Economic Policy Commons, Energy and Utilities Law Commons, Energy Policy Commons, Energy Systems Commons, Finance Commons, Geographic Information Sciences Commons, Natural Resource Economics Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, Power and Energy Commons, Sustainability Commons
