October 30, 2013

Community Wind Outreach Initiative:Best Practices for

Siting Wind Energy Facilities

Andrew GreeneSiting Division Director, DPU

The DPU & the Community Wind Outreach Initiative

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On June 27, 2013, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) announced the Community Wind Outreach Initiative.

The Initiative assigned to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) the tasks of:

(1) researching wind siting practices around the country and internationally;

(2) identifying best practices used in other jurisdictions; and

(3) relying on sound scientific, technical, and policy information in developing guidance for siting land-based WEFs in Massachusetts.

Research Efforts

The DPU has been researching wind siting guidelines and standards from across the country, as well as internationally. Over 50 jurisdictions evaluated, so far.

These research efforts have led to increased collaboration with MassCEC, MassDEP and DOER, and other state agencies and programs.

DPU has been actively involved in MassDEP’s WNTAG process.

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Wind Siting Research Database

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Next Steps

The DPU will develop guidance on best practices for siting land-based wind projects through a process that includes public comment, and builds on our research efforts.

Intended focus of the DPU Wind Siting Guidance design standards environmental and health standards safety requirements construction impacts socio-economic impacts decommissioning requirements review process

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Stay Tuned!

Watch the DPU Siting Division website for updates on Wind Siting Guidance:

http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/siting-division-of-the-dpu/

Questions?

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