Wind Energy/Alternative Energy

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Sample Zoning for Wind Energy Systems, 2020

This publication presents a zoning ordinance sample amendment for utility scale wind energy systems and smaller wind electric generation systems for an individual business or home.  There are significant changes to this version including updated research, court cases, and technical resources. There are earlier versions of this document. They should not be used. 

 

Final Report of the Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board

The board identified four regions as having the highest wind energy harvest potential. Exhibit 1 identifies the four regions, including the counties and townships located in whole or in part in these regions. These regions are not listed in any order of magnitude or importance. To calculate the minimum and maximum generating capacity and annual energy production potential for each region, the board assumed that there were no turbines placed within the boundaries of the villages and cities, as well as three townships.

Final Report of the Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board

The Potential Health Impact of Wind Turbines

The review concludes that while some people living near wind turbines report symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and sleep disturbance, the scientific evidence available to date does not demonstrate a direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects. The sound level from wind turbines at common residential setbacks is not sufficient to cause hearing impairment or other direct health effects, although some people may find it annoying.

The Potential Health Impact of Wind Turbines

Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects - An Expert Panel Review

In response to concerns, the American and Canadian Wind Energy Associations (AWEA and CanWEA) established a scientific advisory panel in early 2009 to conduct a review of current literature available on the issue of perceived health effects of wind turbines. This multidisciplinary panel is comprised of medical doctors, audiologists, and acoustical professionals from the United States, Canada, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The objective of the panel was to provide an authoritative reference document for legislators, regulators, and anyone who wants to make sense of the conflicting information about wind turbine sound.

Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects - An Expert Panel Review

Residential Property Values And Wind Turbines: A Summary of Findings

A PowerPoint presentation on the impact of wind turbines on property values.

Residential Property Values And Wind Turbines: A Summary of Findings

The Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values in the United States

The concern that property values will be adversely affected by wind energy facilities is commonly put forth by stakeholders. Although this concern is not unreasonable, given property value impacts that have been found near high voltage transmission lines and other electric generation facilities, the impacts of wind energy facilities on residential property values had not previously been investigated thoroughly.

The Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values in the United States

Utility Scale Wind Energy Development

A PowerPoint presentation on the utility-scale wind energy development.

Utility Scale Wind Energy Development

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities

A series of fact sheets on perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities was just completed by MSU’s Land Policy Institute. The series is in response to the idea that windy, coastal communities will face pressure to develop wind farms now and for many years to come. The purpose of the fact sheets is to help understand the complex dynamics between communities, policy and the public.

The community

This fact sheet examines how the respondents feel about their community, and potential changes to it, as related to wind energy development.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: the community

Energy policy priorities

This fact sheet summarizes what coastal residents say are their policy priorities and identifies the types of energy infrastructure and associated policy incentives that policy makers should be examining.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: energy policy priorities

Regulation issues

This fact sheet explores what survey respondents say about who should regulate wind energy and how confident they feel in various aspects of the planning, zoning and regulatory process.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: regulation issues

Trust and fairness issue

This fact sheet reviews the opinions of the survey respondents in regards to trust, fairness and exploitation in relation to the development of commercial wind energy.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: trust and fairness issue

Impact perceptions

This fact sheet addresses the potential impacts of wind development on a community and examines the level of knowledge survey respondents say they have about renewable energy and wind energy development.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: impact perceptions

Project overview

This fact sheet provides an overview of the project and survey results, plus reviews methods used in the study.

Perceptions of the impact of wind energy generation in coastal communities: project overview