Minimal Environmental Impacts

Wildlife and Site Selection

Wind farms, when properly sited can maintain the integrity of land and coexist within wildlife habitats. Almost all existing land uses can continue after a wind farm is built.

While a wind farm may encompass several thousand acres, the actual facilities (including turbines, transformers, maintenance building, and access roads) typically take up less than 5% of the overall land.

Birds

Bird deaths resulting from wind farms are unlikely to ever reach as high as 1% of those from other human-related sources such as hunters, house cats, buildings, and autos. Nevertheless, Ridgeline conducts exhaustive avian studies performed by local ornithologists to examine bird habitats before installation.

Furthermore, there have been several advances in wind turbine technology to substantially reduce avian mortality:

• Solid steel versus lattice-style towers eliminate nesting and perching surfaces.
• Nacelles (generator housings) now eliminate flat surfaces for perching.
• Slower blade rotation (17 rpm max) and increased size (40-45 meters) have increased the visibility of wind turbines.

Source: Erickson, et.al, 2002. Summary of Anthropogenic Causes of Bird Mortality

 

Noise

Minimal noise is created by the mechanical components of the turbine. Most landowners and visitors to a wind farm report that the most audible sound is that of the blades "swooshing" as they turn, and even this sound is usually only detectible when standing directly underneath the wind turbine.

Wind turbines are attractive if they are spaced appropriately. Engineers can simulate computer-generated models depicting future installations before construction begins. According to the American Wind Energy Association, public opinion polls show that the vast majority of people favor wind energy, and support for wind plants often increases after they are actually installed and operating. Of course, there will be some unique scenic areas where wind turbines are not appropriate. Ridgeline works with local communities when conducting the wind turbine analysis and designing a project. Rigorous analysis has found that wind turbines do not affect nearby property values.