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November 21, 2008

Conservationists Release Blueprint for Wind Energy Development

 

LARAMIE – Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and six other conservation groups today released a statewide science-based report titled Wind Power in Wyoming: Doing it Smart from the Start, outlining where and how utility-scale wind power generation could be approached throughout Wyoming while maximizing its compatibility with the conservation of sensitive wildlife habitats and important natural landscapes. The report is on the web at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/WindPowerReport.pdf.

“This report should give the wind industry as well as government officials and private landowners the information they need to make the best possible siting decisions when building large-scale wind power facilities, so Wyoming can start reaping the benefits of this clean and renewable power source as soon as possible,” said Erik Molvar, Wildlife Biologist with Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and author of the report. “Oil and gas development has been pursued in a helter-skelter fashion across Wyoming, with devastating and unnecessary impacts on our wildlife populations and public lands. Wind energy represents a clean energy alternative that can help combat global warming, and we hope that the wind industry can learn from the mistakes made during the oil and gas debacle so Wyoming gets not only a clean energy resource but also an environmentally sensitive development scheme that protects our world-class wildlife and scenic resources.

The report outlines the location of about 5 million acres that are most favorable for wind energy development from a conservation perspective, the majority of which possesses commercial-grade wind potential. “These are the places where wind power development should start first, and these areas should be the top priorities for developing the infrastructure needed to support the wind industry,” Molvar stated.

The report displays important habitats statewide for sensitive wildlife species such as sage grouse, big game, and birds of prey. It also provides Best Practices to minimize the impacts of wind power development on these species. Key sensitive wildlife species highlighted by the report include birds of prey, bats, and big game, as well as the sage grouse, which is under consideration for Endangered Species listing.

“We wouldn’t want sage grouse conservation efforts to become a stumbling block for wind power development, and this report provides a valuable resource in identifying the key habitats that should be avoided to prevent conflicts and delays,” added Molvar. “Having wind energy development that is sensitive to the needs of wildlife is in everyone’s best interest.”

The report also addresses social and cultural concerns, including the need to be sensitive to the viewsheds of communities and the settings of historical sites. “The pitfalls of arousing local opposition in Wyoming can easily be seen in a tale of two cities,” Molvar observed. “The wind power development that was planned for the rims above the towns of Rock Springs and Green River was done behind closed doors and wasn’t sensitive to local concerns, and this wind farm is still mired in delays and controversy. Meanwhile, a wind power facility on the King Ranch six miles outside Cheyenne did not impact the local skyline and sailed through very quickly and without controversy. Getting local buy-in and preventing controversy is clearly to the advantage of both Wyoming residents and the wind power industry.”

The report also addresses cultural sites with sensitive historic settings and special landscapes like Adobe Town, the Jack Morrow Hills, and roadless lands where conservation rather than energy development should be the top priorities.

In addition to Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, the report is endorsed by World Wildlife Fund, the Wyoming Wilderness Association, Western Environmental Law Center, the Wild Utah Project, Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation, Californians for Western Wilderness, and the Sierra Club.