State Successes: Using Outreach and Eduction to Transcend Barriers to Wind Energy (Poster)

Many states projected to contribute significantly to the United States' 20% wind energy by 2030 goal have not yet achieved a first wind farm, and many more have not yet hit the 100-MW mark. These states are struggling with basic barriers of the need for understanding of the wind resource; wind energy benefits and impacts; economic development, water, and carbon impacts; issues such as transmission, utility integration, siting, and wildlife; involvement of key constituents such as the electrical sector, the ag sector, and county commissioners; effective policy; and an educated public and an educated workforce. Other states have partially transcended these barriers and are encountering organized pushback; NIMBYism; siting problems such as zoning, permitting, and environmental issues; and interstate barriers such as transmission.