This Technical Report, entitled Adequacy of Environmental Permitting and Review of Terrestrial Wind Energy Projects, summarizes the environmental review processes for land-based wind energy facilities. The report examines the thoroughness and adequacy of existing review frameworks, evaluates the potential impacts of land-based wind energy, and considers the effectiveness of standard practices used to minimize and mitigate potential environmental effects.
This Technical Report aims to provide a factual, well-cited summary of established best practices for environmental review and permitting for land-based wind energy projects. It is intended to address and correct unsubstantiated claims that the environmental impacts of wind energy are poorly studied, misunderstood, and/or inadequately considered in siting and permitting decisions. These impacts have been the subject of more than 30 years of scientific research, federal and state regulations and guidance documents, academic publications, and project-specific permitting studies conducted across the United States.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of permitting processes on both federal and private lands, addressing key considerations such as wildlife impacts, transportation safety, property values, decommissioning procedures, cultural resources preservation, visual and noise impacts, and potential health effects. It highlights that existing regulations prioritize stakeholder consultation, impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation in environmentally sensitive areas.
The findings demonstrate that the environmental impacts of constructing and operating land-based wind energy facilities are meticulously documented, with ongoing studies continually expanding this knowledge. Established measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts have been thoroughly vetted and applied throughout all wind energy facility development and operation phases. The report concludes that permitting processes for wind energy projects include well-established safeguards and proven mitigation strategies to ensure environmental protection.
Preferred Citation:
Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR). 2025. Adequacy of Environmental Permitting and Review of Terrestrial Wind Energy Projects. Technical Report, September 2025. EDR.
