Emerging Opportunities for Wind Development to Meet Objectives of Supplemental Environmental Projects and State Implementation Plans

摘要

Policies within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide an important opportunity for the development of wind technology. To mitigate all or part of a penalty imposed as a result of an emissions violation, state and federal environmental enforcement attorneys are beginning to consider the inclusion of wind projects as Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) when settling cases. In addition, states must prepare State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to comply with the national ambient air quality standards program of the Clean Air Act. Among other things, state SIPs must include plans for lowering emissions; wind can play a role in meeting these standards. This paper describes the emerging opportunities for wind resource development in meeting SEP and SIP objectives.