Wind energy vs. wind energy - Solar, Wind and Land: Conflicts in Renewable Energy Development - page 61

Predominant
wind direction

Parcel D

Parcel U

Property
line

(5 rotor
diameters)

Wake-
based
setbacks

Safety
setback

(3 rotor
diameters)

Figure 3.4 Hypothetical turbine layout for parcels U and D in a jurisdiction with
wake-based turbine setback requirements

aggressive wake setback rules. Among these opposition groups were
17 participants and supporters of community-based energy development
within the state who argued that the setbacks were “overly conservative”
and did “not economically or efficiently utilize state wind resources.” 31
Regrettably, the Commissioners ignored these observations and adopted
the setback rules, unnecessarily precluding wind energy development on
thousands of acres of developable land in that state.

Other plausible strategies
Besides wake-based setbacks, what other potential policies could govern
disputes over turbine wakes? At least three other basic policy strategies for
addressing wind turbine wake interference conflicts are worth mentioning,
some of which seem more promising than others.

Compulsory unitization?

In recent years, some policymakers in the United States have advocated
rules for wind energy development that are modeled after compulsory uniti-
zation laws applicable in some states to subsurface oil and gas. These rules
would treat a potential wind farm development area and those parcels in its
vicinity as a large “pool” or cooperative. A wind energy developer would
be obligated to compensate all landowners within such areas, regardless
of whether turbines were ultimately installed on their land. Unlike laws
requiring payments to communities that host wind farm neighbors to