Resolving Community Concerns over Local Wind Power Development in Utah

摘要

Despite federal and state polices encouraging renewable energy development, make-or-break decisions about specific projects are ultimately made by the citizens who will be living near them. An unexpected citizen uprising halted Utah's first commercialwind power project in 2006. How a swift win-win resolution was reached provides insight on how entrepreneurs, elected officials, citizens, and advocates can address community resistance constructively and build support for nearby wind energy development. A typology of common citizen concerns about nearby wind farms emerging from this example is presented with action items for addressing each concern effectively.