Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
If the intention is to ensure that ecological damage is minimized, it
is imperative for the EIA to be a part of the project approval process.
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Furthermore, the development of standardized EIA templates helps to
ensure every project site is evaluated according to the same criteria with
the same depth of analysis.
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Almost counterintuitively, as opposed to an
absence of standards, research indicates that regulatory standardization of
EIA criteria is greatly appreciated by environmental and corporate stake-
holders alike.
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his is because standardization allows environmental watch-
dog groups to inluence what goes into an EIA through political lobbying
and more efectively evaluate EIA submissions from project developers.
Standardization also insulates project development irms from public criti-
cism that the EIAs they carry out lack an acceptable standard of rigor.
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here are three caveats associated with the management of EIA policy.
First, projects which have been planned in an ecologically sensitive matter
should not be delayed by red tape associated with an ineicient EIA review
process, because unpredictability deters investment.
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his implies that
authorities that are responsible for vetting the assessments and granting
approval must have the resources, competencies, and operational obligation
to expediently carry out efective, timely evaluation of submissions.
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Second, a degree of lexibility should be built into the EIA process in
order to allow amendments to be made to EIAs as characteristics of proj-
ects change, new technology emerges, and project inances luctuate.
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Mechanisms should exist to allow project developers to make minor
amendments to project designs and have these amendments approved in a
fast-track manner without the entire EIA being resubmitted. An EIA should
be an advisory tool that helps to make wind energy projects more environ-
mentally sound; it should not be used to delay or derail projects that are
beneicial to the community.
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In order to achieve economic and environ-
mental balance, many nations draw a distinction between small and large
wind energy developments. Larger developments require more detailed
EIAs. In Germany, projects involving 20 turbines or more require signii-
cantly more due diligence and preparation of a mandatory EIA. In Sweden,
any installation over 25 MW requires a comprehensive EIA.
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hird, policy should ensure that EIAs are prepared and disseminated for
stakeholder evaluation and input well before project approval is given.
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For wind energy project developers and civic sponsors, one of the main pur-
poses of preparing an EIA is to minimize the threat of public protest caused
by poor planning. Without giving stakeholders a voice, EIAs created with
even the best intentions may still fuel protest.
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his caveat may seem like a
trite observation; however, all too often EIAs are prepared in isolation from
stakeholders and appended to projects as afterthoughts.
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