| Title: | Assessing Conflicts Between Windpower Siting and Natural Resource Values |
| Authors: | David Publicover, Appalachian Mountain Club |
| Date/Time: | Monday, September 22 ~ 10:30 - 12:00 |
| Abstract: | Windpower is emerging as an important source of renewable energy in the Northeast. The primary sites for commercial-scale terrestrial windpower projects are higher-elevation ridgelines - often the least developed part of the landscape and areas of potentially high ecological, scenic and recreational value. This presents society with a potential conflict between two worthy goals - renewable energy development and open space conservation. The Appalachian Mountain Club has developed a GIS-based analytical approach to assessing the relationship between potential windpower development sites and natural resource values. The information developed by this analysis can be used to compare sites as to their relative level of natural resource impact, to evaluate potential sites and proposed projects, and to guide development to sites with lower levels of potential conflict. It can also be used to inform the development of public policies aimed at guiding development to more appropriate sites. |
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