Abstract
Wind energy is one of the cleanest and most environmentally neutral energy sources in the world today. Wind energy production can also negatively affect the wildlife habitat and individual species, and measures to mitigate prospective impacts may be required. Maintaining good relationships with the community surrounding a proposed wind energy project and providing accurate and timely information to the public will mitigate or prevent many potential problems. Admittedly, not all problems, issues, or complaints can be avoided, and almost all wind energy projects will have some type of issue that arises. The benefits, challenges, and issues for wind energy can be classified into several broad categories, and several of the specific issues may fit into multiple categories. For example, air quality is shown under “Human Health Related” but air quality will also affect wildlife.
This is a book chapter in Wind Energy Essentials: Societal, Economic, and Environmental Impacts.