The Environmental Impact of Wind Turbines
For centuries humans have harnessed the power of the
wind to do everything from generate electricity to pump water and mill
grain. Recently wind power has become
a popular topic of conversation among environmentalists and energy companies
alike as fossil fuel prices and improvements in technology have made wind an
economically viable source of power.
The result has been a boom in “wind farm” development with larger and
larger scale farms with larger and larger turbines. In addition to typical construction project concerns, since
the beginning of wind power development in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the
question has been raised about the effect of these turbines on wildlife
including birds and bats and in offshore sights, the benthic and aquatic
environment. These issues are
especially pertinent given that quality wind regimes are many times located in
environmentally sensitive areas such as mountain tops and coastlines. In addition, in recent years, scientists
have wondered what effect, if any, large numbers of wind turbines would have on
the global climate. These issues
are often used as “straw men” to mask other, less noble objections such as the
desire not to mar a view shed, preventing the competition from a new renewable
source of electricity and just the simple desire not to have these huge pieces
of equipment “in my backyard”.
However, these fears are often warranted and deserving of attention. On the surface wind power may seem like
a win-win situation. The sight
attempts to offer a forum where objective information can be gathered from all
sources about the true effects of wind farms on the environment and lessons
that can be learned to mitigate these issues. While it is impossible to make
blanket recommendations about any potential wind power development, the
information contained here can serve as a guide for the true environmental
impact a wind farm may have. Sight
specific issues generally dictate the compatibility for wind power development;
however, a number of examples are cited here which may allow some comparisons
to be drawn. In the end, it will
be a question of whether the environmental impacts outweigh the environmental
benefits of wind energy and the public acceptance of these impacts.
Topics
Other
Links of Interest
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American Wind Energy Association
FAQ |
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National Renewable Energies
Laboratory |
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Cape Wind Home Web Sight |
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Cape |
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EIS for Horicon Marsh Project, |
http://psc.wi.gov/electric/cases/9300ce100/document/volume1/Executive%20Summary.pdf |
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Renewable Energy Guidelines for
Canadian EIS |
http://www.canren.gc.ca/programs/index.asp?CaId=190&PgId=1155 |
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References |
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Erickson, W., Johnson, G., Young, D., Strickland, D., Good, R., Bourassa,
M., Bay, K., Sernka, K. (2002) Synthesis and Comparison of Baseline Avian
and Bat Use, Raptor Nesting and Mortality Information from Proposed and
Existing Wind Developments, West. Inc. |
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US Army Corp of Engineers, New
England District (2004) “Cape Wind Project Draft Environmental Impact
Statement” [online], Availabe from: http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/ma/ccwf/deis.htm |
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Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (2004) “Draft Environmental Impact
Statement, Executive Summary: [online], Available from: http://psc.wi.gov/electric/cases/9300ce100/document/volume1/Executive%20Summary.pdf |
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Birds and Bats |
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Thelander, C.G., Smallwood, K.S.,
Rugge, L., (2003) “Bird Risk Behaviors and Fatalities at the Altamont Pass
Wind Resource Area”, available on line from: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33829.pdf
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Blum, J., “Researchers Alarmed by
Bat Deaths From Wind Turbines”, The Washington Post, 1st January,
p. A1 |
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Berguist, L., (2005) “Tilting at
windmills; Proposed turbines near Horicon Marsh are being sold as a clean
power source, but critics fear the project could mean certain death for
migrating birds”, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6th March, p. 1. |
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Bergquist, L., (2005) “State
raises wind farm concerns; Criticizing developer’s research, report cites
threat to birds, bats near Horicon”, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9th
March, p. 1. |
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Reynolds, J., (2005) “Greenpeace
objects to plans for 234-turbine wind farm”, The Scotsman, 7th April,
p. 20. |
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(2005) “CEC attempts to cut wind
farm bird deaths”, Megawatt Daily, 26th January, no. 17, p. 8. |
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(2005) “Bird kill suit prompts
wind permits review”, Megawatt Daily, 22nd February, no. 35, p.
10. |
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(2004) “Wind producers sued over
bird deaths”, Megawatt Daily, 3rd November, no. 211, p. 6. |
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Johnson, G., Erickson, W., Strickland, D., Shepherd, M., Shepherd, D.,
Sarappo, S., (2003) “Mortality of Bats at a Large-scale Wind Power
Development at Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota.” The American Midland Naturalist,
no. 2, p. 332-342 |
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Gray, T. (2004) “Generating
electricity with wind while trying to save the birds”, Sacramento Bee, 3rd
January, p. B7. |
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Global Environmental Effects |
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Anderson, H. (2004) “Wind power
may be cleaner, but it impacts the environment also”, Omaha World-Herald, 19th
December, p.11B. |
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Calamai, P. (2004) “Wind turbines
study stirs up turbulence”, Toronto Star. 9th November, p.A18. |
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Keith, D., DeCarolis, J., Denkenberger, D., Lenschow, D., Malyshev, S.,
Pacala, S., Rasch, P., (2004)_”The Influence of large-scale wind power on
global climate.” PNAS, no. 46, p. 16115-1620. |
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Aquatic Environment |
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Fitzgerald, J., (2003) “Fisherman
petition rips offshore wind turbines”, The Boston Herald, 31st July,
p. 43. |
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Dean, C., “Much Heat and a Deep
Split Over a Cape Code Wind Farm”, The New York Times, 12th January,
p.17A. |
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Ebbert, S., “Town seeks to dredge
sand from Nantucket sound wind farm to open door, Barnstable Says”, The
Boston Globe, 14th February, p. B1. |
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Woodlief, W., “Wind project needs
set of fresh eyes”, The Boston Herald, 24th March, p. 37. |
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(2003) “U.S. district court rules
in favor of Cape Wind project”, Megawatt Daily, 25th August, no.
161, p. 4. |