Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
s
s
MC
MC
' MB p
' MBp
Q, Q*
Q, Q*
Quantity of installed renewable energy capacity
Q uantity of installed renewable energy capacity
Figure 1.3 Intended effect of RPS programs and feed-in-tariffs on the quantity of
renewable energy development
Negative externality problems
Policymakers and academics devote comparatively less attention to many
of the negative externality problems associated with renewable energy
development. These problems arise when some of the costs associated with
renewable energy projects are borne by individuals who do not directly
participate in and have relatively less influence over development decisions.
The list of wind and solar energy development's potential costs to
outsiders is expansive and continues to grow. Within the land use realm
alone, this list includes aesthetic degradation, noise, ice throws, flicker
effects, interference with electromagnetic signals, destruction of wildlife
habitats and wetlands, bird and bat casualties, disruption of sacred burial
grounds or historical sites, inner ear or sleeping problems, annoyance during
the construction phase, interference with oil or mineral extraction, solar
panel glare effects, exploitation of scarce water supplies, and heightened
electrical, lightning, and fire risks. Theoretically, an excessive quantity of
renewable energy development can result when project developers base
their renewable energy development decisions solely on their own antici-
pated costs and ignore costs borne by others.
It is true that most of the costs of renewable energy development are
borne by developers and by the landowners on whose property the devel-
opment occurs. Developers typically incur the greatest costs associated
with any given renewable energy project. They frequently invest large
sums of money in project planning, buying or leasing real property, paying
for adequate road and transmission infrastructure, purchasing expensive
 
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