September 9, 2015
West Virginia

US Wind Force distributing $20,000 in grants

FOR THE TIMES-NEWS | September 9, 2015 | www.times-news.com

KEYSER, W.Va. – US Wind Force Foundation, Inc. is accepting grant applications from qualified nonprofit organizations for $20,000 in grants from its Community Benefit Fund. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 15.

“This is a continuation of a long-term relationship between the foundation and the communities surrounding the wind farm,” said Jim Cookman, president of the foundation. “We appreciate the community’s broad support for the project and NRG’s continued support for the community.”

The Community Benefit Fund was established as a way to provide locally controlled financial resources for brick and mortar community projects in the communities immediately surrounding the Pinnacle Wind Farm.

The grant applications are subject to a review process by an allocation committee made up of Mineral County residents.

“It’s rare to see companies give local control over donated money,” said Terry Stephens, chairman of the committee. “I’m proud to serve on the committee and I remain confident in the other members of the committee.”

The 55-megawatt, 23-turbine Pinnacle Wind Farm is located on Green Mountain near Keyser. The foundation, through its Community Benefit Fund, has awarded more than $114,000 in grants to local community organizations since the wind farm was completed in January 2012.

Pinnacle was developed by US Wind Force, LLC and is now owned and operated by NRG Energy, Inc. Pinnacle voluntarily committed to donate $60,000 to the Community Benefit Fund at the start of commercial operations and $20,000 per year for the life of the project.

For more about the Pinnacle Community Benefit Fund and the grant application process, click here.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/09/09/us%e2%80%88wind-force-distributing-20000-in-grants/