Anyone had to fight against building wind turbines in their vicinity? Were impact studies used? Were?

Question

any amendments drafted?

Answer 1

By "impact studies" you might mean the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) or Environmental Assessments (EAs) prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These are required when federal action (like licensing) or funding are involved. Such NEPA documents are a very valuable source of information.

A well known and controversial wind energy project off Cape Cod was the subject of an EIS prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see Ref 1).

The Bureau of Land Management (Department of Interior) has prepared a Programmatic EIS on wind energy development on western public lands (Ref 2).

It's unclear what you mean about "amendments drafted" For NEPA documents, if more information comes out after completion of the EIS or EA, a supplemental document may be prepared.

Answer 2

I'm not aware of any impact studies that have been used in the evaluation of wind turbines, but I am sure there are some.

The biggest "fight" against wind turbines is probably off Cape Cod. Residents of the area, including the Kennedys, are opposed. They cite the heavy boat traffic in the area and, privately, the scenic damage a large number of wind turbines would cause.

The opponents of these wind turbine fields are like people who oppose landfills in their communities. They acknowledge the need for them, but "not in my neighborhood!"

Answer 3

Ask yourself what the impact would be if you have a coal-burning facility next to you instead? Or perhaps a nuclear facility? ;-)

The only thing wind turbines impact is the bird population, and whatever ground is perturbed during its construction. Once installed, they're clean since they generate no chemical waste or smoke, and they're pretty silent.

Don't fight progress, help it.

Answer 4

I think maybe you could battle it based on the sound, your city should have bylaws dictating allowable decibel level.

But if they're building new ones that're quieter, this won't hold up very well.

Answer 5

The majority of our area is against wind energy. My thought here is... that they support the middle east getting rich and they support terrorist!