We have an abundant wind resource that blows energy across our prairies, through our mountain passes, over mountain ridges, and across our coastlines. As our appetite for electricity grows, this wind energy presents a wonderful opportunity to generate electricity using a free fuel (the wind) that does not produce greenhouse gases. In addition, we have a wealth of wildlife with which we share this land. The rare and wonderful birds, animals, plants, and wetlands that surround us and share our country are treasures that enrich our lives.

In bringing these two together, wind energy development and wildlife protection, we have a unique and precious opportunity to responsibly answer our energy demand while improving in our role as stewards for this world. By initiating effective research programs, developing reasonable guidelines and laws for wind development and management, providing for wildlife habitats, and engaging our communities in the process, we can build a wind energy industry that will carry us into the future. We can generate the electricity on which we have come to depend while reducing our impact on the environment.

To achieve this vision we need to expand our knowledge of our wind resource in two areas.  First we need to improve our understanding of the available wind energy.  There have been several wind resource maps developed and these continue to be improved every year as more measurements are taken.  A good example is the 50-meter Wind Resource Map available on the Wind Powering America website from the U.S. Department of Energy.  This map is a great tool for an initial evaluation of the wind resource at a general site, but if a site looks promising based on this map then site specific measurements should be the next step.   As wind studies expand, the development of wind energy would only be enhanced by pooling all of the site specific data to continuously update our general wind resource maps and make them increasingly more accurate.  Establishing a protocol for the collection and use of this data should be an early national initiative.

As we develop our wind energy industry the percentage of electricity in the grid that comes from wind will increase and our dependence on this source will grow.  Forecasting the wind accurately will become critical.  When the wind is calm, we need to generate more electricity from other sources and when the wind is strong, we can generate less electricity from those sources.  To be successful with this balancing act, we need to dramatically improve our forecasting ability.  Our electricity demand has peaks and valleys.  When the weather is hot, the air conditioners are turned on and we draw more electricity from the grid, while in the middle of a night with mild temperatures our demand is relatively low.  The peaks and valleys of our demand and the ebbs and flows of the wind strength are in no way synchronized.  Focused research to enable site specific wind forecasting is imperative.

Numerous individuals and organizations have studied and are continuing to do research on various segments of wildlife across the country.  The responsible approach to wind energy development must incorporate this vast information.  We need to understand as much as possible about the habitats, breeding areas, nursery areas, hibernation requirements, migration patterns, and feeding areas for all of the rare and wonderful birds, animals, plants and wetlands that share our country.  For each site that has a good wind resource a wildlife impact assessment needs to be produced.  This assessment should include a study of existing wildlife uses for the land, expected impact if wind turbines are constructed, a plan for managing wildlife issues during operation, and a plan for restoring the site upon decommissioning.  If warranted, a mitigation plan should be developed which sets aside wildlife habitat to compensate for the area being developed.  In short, any development plan for a wind energy project needs to be infused with considerations for the protection of wildlife.

In addition, a more global view is warranted as we move forward.  Although an isolated wind turbine or even a single wind farm may not have a significant impact on any one species, the cumulative affect must be taken into account.  Migration paths cover large areas.  These must be considered as we develop individual projects.  The projects may be independent, however none can be viewed in isolation; there are dependencies.

The development of wind energy to feed our electric grid affects almost all of us.  So it is important, as we develop this industry, to be sure that everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions and opinions.  The wind developers need to have an understanding of the environment and the wildlife issues; the environmental organizations need to have an understanding of electricity and, specifically, of wind technology; and the general public needs to have the facts.  Educational programs and outreach opportunities which bring the different organizations together will enable us to move toward a cleaner energy future without spinning our wheels in fear and anger which can be generated by a lack of knowledge.

A critical component of any wind energy development project needs to be outreach.  If all interested parties are at the table with the same information and shared goals of cleaner energy production and wildlife protection, delays and disaster can be avoided.

In a country that is ruled by law, we currently fall short when it comes to wind development and the protection of wildlife.  Today there are only 38 states which have laws or guidelines for wind energy development which address the protection of wildlife and many of these guidelines are simply voluntary.  This leaves us with some significant gaps.

Although climate change and the cost of fossil fuels are adding urgency to our need to develop cleaner energy resources like wind, we will only truly be successful if we take an approach that minimizes residual environmental problems.  The destruction and disasters we experience with coal mining (currently our primary fuel source for electricity) do not need to be repeated with wind farming. 

The development of wind energy and the protection of wildlife are both achievable.  If we bring together the concerns of the energy industry, the concerns of wildlife organizations and the concerns of local citizens, we can devise a strategy that takes us to a future of clean energy and a healthy, diverse environment.  We need to start working together now.