Harnessing Wind is Not (by Nature) Environmentally Friendly

32 Pages Posted: 3 Aug 2012

See all articles by Victoria Sutton

Victoria Sutton

Texas Tech University School of Law

Nicole Tomich

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the existing regulatory framework and tools for addressing the environmental impacts of wind energy. The introductory discussion of the potential environmental impacts of wind energy generation and wind farm development reveals the need for regulation of these impacts. The potential for wind energy to provide a clean, economical, and renewable supply of electricity must be weighed against the potential for wind energy development to impact bird mortality, degrade ecosystems, and harm endangered species and endangered species habitats. Next, this article examines the development and use of wind power in the existing regulatory context, and considers analogous case law and legal tools potentially applicable to the environmental impacts of the mass development of land-based and offshore wind power farms in the United States. Finally, this article summarizes the regulation of wind energy environmental impacts and the application of existing law to these environmental issues, and offers recommendations for legal guidance in the siting and engineering of wind farms.

Keywords: wind energy, environment, birds, ecosystems, renewable energy, endangered species, impact

JEL Classification: K19

Suggested Citation

Sutton, Victoria and Tomich, Nicole, Harnessing Wind is Not (by Nature) Environmentally Friendly (2005). Pace Environmental Law (PELR) Review, Vol. 22, p. 91, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2123438

Victoria Sutton (Contact Author)

Texas Tech University School of Law ( email )

1802 Hartford
Lubbock, TX 79409
United States

Nicole Tomich

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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