Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' Priority Activities
Wind Power Subcommittee
The wind power subcommittee was developed under the Energy and Wildlife Policy Committee. The first meeting of this group took place in September 2006 in Colorado . Twenty-eight people participated, including representation from State and Federal Agencies, NGO and Canadian Provincial representatives. The charge of this group is to “work cooperatively with public and private interests to protect fish and wildlife resources and their habitats during the exploration, development and production of wind energy”.
Currently the Subcommittee has decided to address a number of topics including the upcoming revision of the USFWS Draft Guidelines through the FACA process, developing a relationship with the public utility commissions, developing guidance for states including partnering with the Clean Energy States Alliance in state-level discussions, and increasing communication with federal agencies in the US, Canada and Mexico on wind energy guidance development. The Subcommittee, through the Coordinator and the Science and Research Liaison, is also engaged with the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC).
Wind Power Subcommittee and Charge
Wind Power Siting Regulations and Wildlife Guidelines in the United States
AFWA has produced a compilation of existing state authorities and processes affecting wind power development (including legislation, regulations, implementing agency(ies) for regulations, status of guidance or proposed guidance, incentives (financial assistance, renewable portfolio standards, etc.) and current siting/assessment protocols from each State that has developed one.
"Wind Power Siting Regulations and Wildlife Guidelines in the United States" - PDF
US Fish and Wildlife Service Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee
At the federal level, in 2003, the USFWS issued voluntary interim guidelines to avoid and minimize wildlife impacts. The Service now is seeking to establish a federal advisory committee to review and revise its draft national guidance with major stakeholders. The Association is supportive of this process and will recommend a representative to serve on this committee on behalf of the Association. More information
The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative
The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC) is a U.S. consensus-based collaborative formed in 1994 that identifies issues that affect the use of wind power, establishes dialogue among key stakeholders, and catalyzes appropriate activities to support the development of environmentally, economically, and politically sustainable commercial markets for wind power . NWCC members include representatives from electric utilities and support organizations, state legislatures, state utility commissions, consumer advocacy offices, wind equipment suppliers and developers, green power marketers, environmental organizations, agriculture and economic development organizations, and state and federal agencies. The Association is engaged with NWCC through their Wildlife Work Group. Tom Blickensderfer (CO) is currently the AFWA representative on the Wildlife Working group. More information and links to additional resources, click here.
The Clean Energy States Alliance
The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is an organization representing state renewable and conservation offices. CESA is seeking partners to co-host and facilitate an inter-state agency dialogue regarding the merits of promoting standardization and consistency in the approaches that many states are now developing to address the effects of wind development on wildlife (mainly avian and bat species). CESA has proposed partnering with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies to pursue this objective. The Association is engaged in discussions with CESA, however a final decision has not been made on how the Association and CESA might proceed. For more information on CESA, click here.
American Wind Energy Association
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is the national trade association for the wind energy industry. The Association is engaged in a discussion with this group on several potential projects including a mapping exercise to overlay important habitat areas with areas with the best wind resources. For more information on AWEA, click here.
|
