Abstract
The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 requires 18 percent of electricity sold to Pennsylvania retail customers to come from renewable and advanced energy sources within 15 years. In the absence of compulsory state regulations, the Pennsylvania Game Commission developed a Wind Energy Voluntary Cooperative Agreement with wind developers in 2007. Brokered with substantial input from wind energy industry representatives, the Cooperative Agreement provides guidance and consistency to project managers in order to understand, avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts on the state's wildlife resources.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission continues to work with the wind energy industry and held multiple meetings between 2007 and 2012 to discuss the Cooperative Agreement. Based on data collected through the Cooperative Agreement, feedback from the wind energy industry, and the status of impacted species in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Game Commission amended the Cooperative Agreement in 2013.