Editing Wind power (section)

=== Community ===

{{See also|Community debate about wind farms}}

[[File:Wind tubines cumbria.JPG|thumb|upright=2.05|Wind turbines such as these, in [[Cumbria]], England, have been opposed for a number of reasons, including aesthetics, by some sectors of the population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/windfarms.htm |title=Wind Farms in Cumbria |access-date=3 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210060920/http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/windfarms.htm |archive-date=10 December 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3661728.stm | title=Wind Turbulence over turbines in Cumbria | last=Arnold | first=James | work=BBC News | date=20 September 2004 | access-date=20 March 2012 | archive-date=17 May 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517122315/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3661728.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Many wind power companies work with local communities to reduce environmental and other concerns associated with particular wind farms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48671 |title=Group Dedicates Opening of 200 MW Big Horn Wind Farm: Farm incorporates conservation efforts that protect wildlife habitat |publisher=Renewableenergyaccess.com |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012192322/http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=48671 |archive-date=12 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Jeanette | last=Fisher | date=2006 | url=http://environmentpsychology.com/wind_power_midamerican's_intrepid_wind_farm1.htm | title=Wind Power: MidAmerican's Intrepid Wind Farm | publisher=Environmentpsychology.com | access-date=20 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102223323/http://environmentpsychology.com/wind_power_midamerican%27s_intrepid_wind_farm1.htm | archive-date=2 November 2011 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.agl.com.au/environment/sustainability/Pages/StakeholderEngagement.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721003610/http://www.agl.com.au/environment/sustainability/Pages/StakeholderEngagement.aspx |archive-date=21 July 2008 | title=Stakeholder Engagement | publisher=Agl.com.au | date=19 March 2008}}</ref>
In other cases there is [[Community wind energy|direct community ownership of wind farm projects]]. Appropriate government consultation, planning and approval procedures also help to minimize environmental risks.<ref name="com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/ewea_documents/documents/press_releases/factsheet_environment2.pdf |publisher=Renewable Energy House |title=Wind Energy and the Environment |access-date=17 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228202639/http://www.ewea.org/fileadmin/ewea_documents/documents/press_releases/factsheet_environment2.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf |title=National Code for Wind Farms |publisher=Environment.gov.au |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905112322/http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/publications/pubs/wind-discussionpaper.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=EC140p6a.pdf |title=New standard and big investment for wind energy |publisher=Publish.csiro.au |date=17 December 2007 |access-date=20 March 2012 |archive-date=18 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918231046/http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=EC140p6a.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Some may still object to wind farms<ref name="wind-watch.org" /> but many say their concerns should be weighed against the need to address the threats posed by [[air pollution]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Misinformation is derailing renewable energy projects across the United States |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1086790531/renewable-energy-projects-wind-energy-solar-energy-climate-change-misinformation |access-date=2022-09-27}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> [[climate change]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy |url=https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Energy.gov |language=en}}</ref> and the opinions of the broader community.<ref>The Australia Institute (October 2006) [http://www.tai.org.au/documents/dp_fulltext/DP91.pdf Wind Farms: The facts and the fallacies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225091609/http://www.tai.org.au/documents/dp_fulltext/DP91.pdf |date=25 February 2012}} Discussion Paper No. 91, {{ISSN|1322-5421}}, p. 28.</ref>

In the US, wind power projects are reported to boost local tax bases, helping to pay for [[school]]s, [[road]]s, and [[hospital]]s, and to revitalize the economies of rural communities by providing steady income to farmers and other landowners.<ref name="nine" />

In the UK, both the [[National Trust]] and the [[Campaign to Protect Rural England]] have expressed concerns about the effects on the rural landscape caused by inappropriately sited wind turbines and wind farms.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-17367028 "Wind farm to be built near a Northamptonshire heritage site"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926231807/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-17367028 |date=26 September 2018 }}, ''BBC News'', 14 March 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/cpre_calls_for_action_over_proliferation_of_wind_turbines_1_1363291 | title = CPRE calls for action over 'proliferation' of wind turbines | last = Hill | first = Chris | date = 30 April 2012 | website = EDP 24 | publisher = Archant community Media Ltd | access-date = 30 April 2012 | archive-date = 1 May 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120501102807/http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/cpre_calls_for_action_over_proliferation_of_wind_turbines_1_1363291 | url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File: Whitelee panorama.JPG|thumb|upright=2.05|right|A panoramic view of the United Kingdom's [[Whitelee Wind Farm]] with Lochgoin Reservoir in the foreground.]]
Some wind farms have become tourist attractions. The [[Whitelee Wind Farm]] Visitor Centre has an exhibition room, a learning hub, a café with a viewing deck and also a shop. It is run by the [[Glasgow Science Centre]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/visitor_centre |title = Whitelee Windfarm |website = Scottish Power Renewables |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120302104242/http://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/visitor_centre |archive-date = 2 March 2012 |df = dmy-all}}</ref>

In Denmark, a loss-of-value scheme gives people the right to claim compensation for loss of value of their property if it is caused by proximity to a wind turbine. The loss must be at least 1% of the property's value.<ref name="Danish-loss-of-value-scheme">{{cite book | url=http://www.ens.dk/sites/ens.dk/files/supply/renewable-energy/wind-power/Vindturbines%20in%20DK%20eng.pdf | title=Wind Turbines in Denmark | publisher=section 6.8, p. 22, Danish Energy Agency | date=November 2009 | isbn=978-87-7844-821-7 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055825/http://www.ens.dk/sites/ens.dk/files/supply/renewable-energy/wind-power/Vindturbines%20in%20DK%20eng.pdf | archive-date=23 October 2013 | df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Despite this general support for the concept of wind power in the public at large, [[Environmental effects of wind power|local opposition]] often exists and has delayed or aborted a number of projects.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.shef.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.88117!/file/Understanding-wind-farm-opposition---Dr-Chris-Jones-PDF-674K-.pdf | title=Understanding 'local' opposition to wind development in the UK How big is a backyard? | doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2010.01.051 | year=2010 | last1=Jones | first1=Christopher R. | last2=Richard Eiser | first2=J. | journal=Energy Policy | volume=38 | issue=6 | page=3106 | bibcode=2010EnPol..38.3106J | access-date=14 January 2013 | archive-date=24 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124105605/http://www.shef.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.88117!/file/Understanding-wind-farm-opposition---Dr-Chris-Jones-PDF-674K-.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.wind-works.org/articles/tilting.html Tilting at Windmills: Public Opinion Toward Wind Energy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118101946/http://www.wind-works.org/articles/tilting.html |date=18 January 2013 }}. Wind-works.org. Retrieved on 1 October 2013.</ref><ref>Yates, Ysabel (15 October 2012) [http://www.ecomagination.com/testing-the-waters-gaining-public-support-for-offshore-wind Testing the Waters: Gaining Public Support for Offshore Wind] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119023610/http://www.ecomagination.com/testing-the-waters-gaining-public-support-for-offshore-wind |date=19 January 2013 }}. ecomagination.com</ref>
As well as concerns about the landscape, there are concerns that some installations can produce excessive sound and vibration levels leading to a decrease in property values.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rivercitymalone.com/wind-energy/town-councilor-regrets-wind-farm-high-sheldon-windfarm-ny/ |title=Town Councilor regrets High Sheldon Wind Farm (Sheldon, NY) |author1=Cramer, Glenn |date=30 October 2009 |access-date=4 September 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154038/http://rivercitymalone.com/wind-energy/town-councilor-regrets-wind-farm-high-sheldon-windfarm-ny/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A study of 50,000 home sales near wind turbines found no statistical evidence that prices were affected.<ref>Ben Hoen, Jason P. Brown, Thomas Jackson, Ryan Wiser, Mark Thayer and Peter Cappers. "[http://www.nwea.nl/sites/default/files/WOZ%20-%20Spatial%20hedonic%20analysis%20on%20surrounding%20property%20values%20%28Berkely%202013%29.pdf A Spatial Hedonic Analysis of the Effects of Wind Energy Facilities on Surrounding Property Values in the United States] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033323/http://www.nwea.nl/sites/default/files/WOZ%20-%20Spatial%20hedonic%20analysis%20on%20surrounding%20property%20values%20%28Berkely%202013%29.pdf |date=17 November 2015 }}" p. 37. ''[[Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory]]'', August 2013. [http://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-6362e.pdf Mirror] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118004839/https://emp.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/lbnl-6362e.pdf |date=18 November 2015 }}</ref>

While aesthetic issues are subjective and some find wind farms pleasant and optimistic, or symbols of [[energy security|energy independence]] and local prosperity, protest groups are often formed to attempt to block some wind power stations for various reasons.<ref name="wind-watch.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.wind-watch.org/affiliates.php | title=Wind Energy Opposition and Action Groups | publisher=Wind-watch.org | access-date=11 January 2013 | archive-date=5 May 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505130436/http://www.wind-watch.org/affiliates.php | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guardian.co.uk">Gourlay, Simon (12 August 2008) [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/aug/12/windpower.alternativeenergy Wind Farms Are Not Only Beautiful, They're Absolutely Necessary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005070554/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/aug/12/windpower.alternativeenergy |date=5 October 2013 }}, ''The Guardian''.</ref><ref name="guardianQA">Aldred, Jessica (10 December 2007) [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/dec/10/windpower.renewableenergy Q&A: Wind Power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313235603/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/dec/10/windpower.renewableenergy |date=13 March 2016 }}, ''The Guardian''.</ref>

Some opposition to wind farms is dismissed as [[NIMBY]]ism,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thestar.com/comment/article/519708 | work=Toronto Star | location=Toronto | title=Windmills vs. NIMBYism | date=20 October 2008 | access-date=18 September 2017 | archive-date=11 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011113357/http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/519708 | url-status=live }}</ref> but research carried out in 2009 found that there is little evidence to support the belief that residents only object to wind farms because of a "Not in my Back Yard" attitude.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/1807322/wind-industry-avoid-branding-opponents-nimbys | title=Wind industry should avoid branding opponents "Nimbys" | last=Donoghue | first=Andrew | date=30 July 2009 | website=Business Green | access-date=13 April 2012 | archive-date=2 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102085646/http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/1807322/wind-industry-avoid-branding-opponents-nimbys | url-status=live }}</ref>