The Nature Conservancy (“TNC”) announced on July 6th it has developed what it denominates the Site Wind Right Map (“Map”) related to the deployment of wind energy.
The Map is described as an interactive online tool that uses GIS technology with data from more than 100 data sets addressing:
- Wind resources
- Wildlife habitat
- Current land use and infrastructure
The Map is stated to have been developed to “accelerate the deployment of wind energy in a way that helps people and nature thrive.”
The organization believes that its utilization early in the wind energy development process can potentially enable developers, utilities, power-purchasers and agencies to save time and money by “highlighting areas with the lowest potential for conflict.”
The “Site Wind Right” strategy encompasses several components, such as:
- Promoting policies and incentives for low-impact renewable energy deployment;
- Advancing the science of low-impact siting;
- Providing the wind industry and public with information to support low-impact siting; and
- Pursuing opportunities to work with the renewable energy sector to advance good siting practices.
The objective of the Map is to direct renewable energy development to “low-impact areas.” This is stated to be intended to “take advantage of its climate and environmental benefits, while protecting our lands and waters for future generations.”
Note, however, the Map is not deemed to be a substitute for the application of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services Wind Energy Guidelines. Instead, it is stated to be an additional source of information to “inform the analysis undertaken when the Wind Energy Guidelines are used.”
A link to the TNC Map can be found here.
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