Wind Power in New England

The document outlines the potential for wind energy in New England, emphasizing that the region has "excellent wind resources, particularly on mountain ridges and along the coast." It details the criteria for optimal siting—primarily wind speed, topography, and proximity to transmission lines—and highlights economic benefits such as tax revenues for towns and lease payments for landowners. The text addresses environmental concerns, noting that modern turbines cause significantly fewer bird fatalities than other human structures and that wind power does not reduce property values. It also discusses human impacts, including visual aesthetics, noise, and aviation lighting, while noting that 81 percent of surveyed Vermont residents find turbines "beautiful or acceptable."

• Wind speed is the primary determinant of a site's economic viability; commercial sites typically require average speeds above 13 mph. A turbine at a 16 mph site can generate 50 to 60 percent more electricity than one at a 13 mph site.
• Wind energy provides several local economic advantages, including tax revenues for town governments, lease payments to landowners between $2,000 and $5,000 per MW of installed capacity, and the creation of high-quality jobs.
• A national study of 25,000 properties located within five miles of wind turbines found no evidence that the presence of turbines reduced property values.
• While bird mortality is a common concern, a 2004 report indicated that modern U.S. wind turbines kill an average of 3.1 birds per MW per year, which is considered a small number compared to fatalities caused by buildings and transmission lines.
• Wind turbines have a minimal land footprint, occupying 2 percent or less of the total land area, which allows the remaining 98 percent to be used for other purposes.
• Public perception of wind turbines in Vermont is generally positive, with 81 percent of residents surveyed describing the view of turbines as beautiful or acceptable.
• As of March 2007, 21 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have established renewable portfolio standards (RPS), including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2007). Wind Power in New England. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/wpne-overview.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Wind Power in New England. 2007. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/wpne-overview.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Wind Power in New England |date=March 2007 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/wpne-overview.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2007wind, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Wind Power in New England}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2007}, month = mar, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/wpne-overview.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }