The Center for Rural Affairs has released a report entitled Link to Rural Development and a Renewable Future. It looks at the benefits renewable energy projects provide for the Midwest and Great Plains. Rural Affairs Climate Program Associate Lu Nelsen authored the report. He says wind energy makes up a big part of what they’re seeing lately.

He says while benefits from those projects include new tax revenue, new jobs and renewable activity there are still some barriers with most of that tied to transmission infrastructure

Nelsen says one of the keys in solving the transmission problems lies with proper planning.

Nelsen says their report shows that wind turbine technicians are the fastest growing profession in the country and the Department of Energy estimates that the wind energy industry could support up to 380,000 jobs by 2030.