Frequently Asked Questions

• The wind industry has an excellent safety record. Safety setbacks and coordination with local first responders ensure public safety should the rare concern arise
• Wind turbines at Little Rock will be sited in compliance with all state regulations and at least 1,500 feet away from residences, schools, and occupied buildings.
• Setbacks from roads, non-occupied buildings, and environmentally sensitive areas will also be incorporated into the site design.
• Over 100 scientific studies have found no threats to public health for people living near well-sited wind turbines.
• The 70,000+ wind turbines operating in the U.S. are estimated to have a net public health benefit of nearly $15 billion per year, primarily due to reduced air and water pollution.

Absolutely. Wind already supplies over 25% of Minnesota’s electricity and is paired with other resources (solar, gas, storage) to ensure 24/7 power. With no ongoing fuel costs, wind energy is also one of the lowest-cost sources of new energy available.

• Researchers have repeatedly found no statistical evidence that long-term home and property values near wind turbines are negatively impacted during the planning, construction, or operation of wind projects.
• Wind projects create jobs and generate tax benefits which can lead to higher per-capita incomes and improved schools, roads, and hospitals, making host communities more attractive places to live.
• Farm acreages that host turbines often increase in value due to the additional stream of reliable income generated by the projects

• Absolutely. On average, one wind turbine and corresponding access roads will take only 1-2 acres out of production.
• Landowners are consulted about the location of planned project facilities to minimize impacts on farming operations and any property damaged during construction will be repaired at the developer's cost.
• Livestock and wildlife can often be seen grazing next to operating wind turbines and there's no evidence wind energy has any negative impacts on livestock.

• Modern wind turbines heard from 1,200 feet away are typically no louder than a refrigerator within a home.
• Scientific research has shown that neither the audible or inaudible (low-frequency noise and infrasound) sound levels from wind turbines are detrimental to humans when proper setbacks are incorporated into project design.
• “Shadow flicker”, shadows cast by rotating turbine blades, can be accurately modeled, allowing a design that ensures homes near the project receive no more than a few minutes of shadow flicker per day, on average.

• Wind energy has one of the lowest impacts on wildlife and their habitats of any utility-scale electricity generation. The wind industry has worked hard to incorporate the best siting, construction, and operational practices to address wildlife concerns.
• Extensive wildlife and habitat studies are carried out prior to construction which are reviewed by state and federal wildlife agencies, and the project must comply with the necessary regulations before being permitted to build and operate.
• Well-sited wind energy projects protect birds and wildlife by producing no dangerous pollutants or carbon emissions.  While birds do occasionally collide with turbine blades, wind energy is responsible for less than 0.01% of human-caused bird deaths.

• Project owners must remove all facilities built on leased property upon decommissioning. A removal bond enforced by the PUC ensures funds are available for this purpose, ensuring no costs are borne by landowners or the community
• 80-95% of a wind turbine can be recycled and new ways to reuse turbine components are being developed every day, minimizing the need for landfill disposal.