The Community Wind Collaborative (CWC) Process:

Phase 1: Project Conception, Identification of Potential Site(s)
■ MTC meetings with local officials to describe CWC and how to proceed
■ Site screening visits and discussions with local representatives
■ Identifying potential site or sites for a meteorological tower (MET tower) or wind turbine
■ Assistance with community education

Phase 2: Wind Measurement and Monitoring
MTC meetings with local officials to confirm local interest in MET tower installation and explain installation requirements and procedures
■ Site visit by wind monitoring contractor to develop the plan for installation of the MET tower
■ Erection of the temporary MET tower and data collection and analysis for 12 months
■ Tower removal after 12 months
■ Community education

Phase 3: Feasibility Analysis
■ MTC meetings with local officials to confirm local interest in proceeding with a feasibility study for community ownership of a wind project
■ Assigning a consultant to work with the community on the study
■ Local project kick-off meeting
■ Feasibility study completion with periodic progress reports
■ Presentation of Feasibility Study results
■ Community education

Phase 4: Public Outreach
(Determine public preference
re: if and how to move forward)
■ MTC meetings with local officials and citizens to confirm local interest in proceeding with pre-development activity leading to community ownership
of a wind project
■ Assigning additional experts as needed to resolve open questions
■ Public forums and community education
■ Decision by elected officials as to whether to proceed with a local project and how

MTC assumes that municipalities deciding to move forward with a community owned project, based on favorable feasibility analyses and business plans, will seek and secure financing for construction. If a community chooses to continue as part of the Collaborative, MTC will offer additional assistance on Phases 5-7 through its Preferred Partner Program. MTC will select one or more suppliers as a Preferred Partner to provide bundled equipment of different sizes and related services to municipalities at an advantageous price.

Phase 5: Project Financing
■ Finalizing the construction requirements and timetable
■ Determining and finalizing total project costs
■ Confirmation of revenue streams or savings offsets
■ Securing contracts, if possible, for sale of power and renewable energy certificates
■ Obtaining construction financing and permanent financing
■ Community outreach and education

Phase 6: Construction
■ Ongoing Community outreach and education
■ Executing contracts for construction services and equipment
■ Site preparation, erection of turbine, and installation of related equipment
■ Interconnections with the grid and on-site loads, as applicable
■ Commissioning the system
■ Executing operation and maintenance agreements, as desired
■ Acceptance of the completed and operating system by the community

Phase 7: Operation and Maintenance
■ Ongoing Community outreach and education
■ Monitoring actual system performance against pre-construction projections
■ Adjustments as needed to fine tune productivity