Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 11.2 Visual impact of wind farm; near edge is 11 km, far edge is 17 km. Photo taken in late after-
noon, looking east. Wind turbines, diameter 56 m, 1 MW, tower height 60 m.
The noise from large wind turbines is much less than in the past, and in general the permitted
levels at property boundaries are established by most states and localities. The most prominent
noises are the passage of the wind turbine blades and from components, primarily gearboxes.
One area that is often overlooked is the amount of traffic, from the large trucks hauling the wind
turbines and the cranes to the project to the numerous pickups, both during construction and after-
wards. Routes from source and delivery ports become important, and invariably local roads have
to be improved. For mesas and complex terrain, most of the ranchers like the new roads, especially
since the roads are maintained by the wind farm.
The large amount of activity and people during the construction phase and the amount of space
and equipment are sometimes surprising to rural communities. During the construction phase, the
developer will interfere with the normal operations; for example, cattle guards will have to be
installed as opening and closing gates take too much time. Livestock may be injured or killed, and
damages will be paid. Finally, solid and hazardous wastes during construction and also during
operation have to be managed.
For protection against liability, a developer may perform a screening assessment or an environ-
mental site assessment prior to acquisition of the property. The American Society for Testing and
Materials has screening tools and standards for environmental site assessment [30].
11.5 POLITICS
As with any endeavor, politics enters the situation. To make a change in behavior, especially when
the competition is an entrenched industry, you need incentives, penalties, and education. Someone
estimated that the amount of each type of energy used is in direct proportion to the amount of sub-
sidies for that type of energy. Subsidies are in the form of taxes, tax breaks, and regulations, all of
which generally require legislation. What every entity (industry) wants are incentives for themselves
and penalties for their competitors. In addition, they want the government to fund R&D and even
commercialization.
Incentives are usually in the form of tax breaks, or can be in terms of subsidies, mandates, and
regulations. Public utility commissions are now demanding that utilities use integrated resource
planning, which means they have to consider renewables and conservation in the planning process.
Can utilities make money for kilowatt-hours saved? Who is supposed to take the risk, the consum-
ers or the shareholders? Three Mile Island and the nuclear utility industry are good examples of
politics, from the local to the national level. The Price Anderson Act, a federal law, limited the
amount of liability from a nuclear accident. Without that legislation, the nuclear industry could not
have sold plants to utilities.
Penalties are generally in the form of taxes and regulations. Environmental groups in the United
States have already indicated that utility planners will be held accountable for the risk of a carbon
 
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