County Incentives    State Incentives      Permitting & Codes    Rules & Regulations    TOPO Maps	Iowa has done well by taking that first step of a renewable energy requirement, but the wind industry has greater confidence in a Renewable Portfolio Standard. What is this "Renewable Portfolio Standard" and why is it so important ?  The American Wind Energy Association provides an explanation of this important tool and how it would help grow the wind industry.

O'Brien County has ideal geographical location for wind energy because of Buffalo Ridge.  O'Brien County will also be in the geographic center of countless wind farms in the  upper Midwest.  We have the land and infrastructure resources plus our central location will ensure the most efficient transportation and distribution times. Our goal is to promote our attractive incentive packages to attract vendor businesses and to work with our college to develop custom-designed workforce training programs.

County Financial Incentives
O'Brien County offers property tax exemptions as follows:

Year 1 - 100 % exemption
Year 2 - 75% exemption
Year 3 - 50% exemption
Years 4 through Year 6 – 25 % exemption

To facilitate growth of the wind industry in Iowa, and O'Brien County, Iowa must be competitive with other states.  Iowa's Financial Incentives, as per the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) are noteworthy.

Iowa's Financial Incentives

  Excise Tax Incentive

Energy Replacement Generation Tax Exemption

  Property Tax Assessment

Local Option Special Assessment of Wind Energy Devices

  Property Tax Exemption

Methane Gas Conversion Property Tax Exemption

Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems

  Sales Tax Exemption

Wind Energy Equipment Exemption

  State Grant Program

Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research

  State Loan Program

Alternate Energy Revolving Loan Program

Iowa Building Energy Management Program (Iowa Energy Bank)

Rules, Regulations & Policies

  Interconnection

Interconnection Standards

  Mandatory Utility Green Power Option

Mandatory Utility Green Power Option

  Net Metering Rules

Net Metering

  Renewables Set Aside

Alternative Energy Law (AEL)

  Solar Access Law/Guideline

Solar Access Easements

  Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Policies

U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program

County Permitting & Codes
O'Brien County wants to make it easy for wind developers. We do not have any local codes or permit requirements at this time.

TOPO Map