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This is the sixth in a series of free webinars funded by the DOE Wind Powering America initiative. The webinar is designed for the general public, local officials, state regulators, facility siting decision makers, policy makers, and others interested in a review of objective information on the impacts of wind energy.

Speakers

• Charles Newcomb, wind technology deployment supervisor, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, described the technical mitigation strategies invented and refined by wind manufacturers and developers to minimize or avoid impact to project neighbors, along with the background of how these strategies work and where they have been applied.
• John Knab, town supervisor, Sheldon, NY, discussed the project adjustment and other mitigation techniques used by the Town of Sheldon in the process of allowing the High Sheldon Wind Project to be developed in their town and how these techniques impacted the siting decision-making process.
• Nils Bolgen, program director, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, described project adjustments and mitigation steps taken by wind project proponents during both the planning and post-operation stages, with outcomes and results where available.

Discussion Topics

The presentations and discussion provided webinar participants with an understanding of:

• Technical and non-technical approaches to minimize, eliminate, or compensate for direct or indirect impacts during the planning, construction, and operation of a wind power project
• Lessons learned on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of available mitigation techniques and how specific techniques helped produce better outcomes
• The process of negotiation to achieve public acceptance, and what concessions communities should (and shouldn't) expect from project proponents
• The key to successful siting through balancing mitigation of impacts with project economic viability
• Where current strategies fall short and what additional research is needed to fill the gaps

Audio and text versions of the webinar are available (WMV 39.5 MB) Download Windows Media Player. Time: 02:21:35. Text Version.

Background

The New England Wind Energy Education Project (NEWEEP) is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Powering America initiative under a two-year grant. NEWEEP is directed by a steering committee consisting of New England state agencies, regional and national research organizations, and New England's regional grid operator who have committed to participate in the project. NEWEEP is neither industry-funded nor industry-driven. The project consists of an 8-part webinar series and an in-person conference.