Wind Energy

 The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.

In recent years there has been new interest in wind site testing, monitoring activities, and development on Utah public lands.  The Cedar City and Fillmore Field Offices have each issued rights-of-way for wind site testing and monitoring, and recent inquiries for site testing and monitoring have been made in the Price and Monticello Field Offices. BLM Utah has one application for a wind farm and transmission line in Beaver and Millard Counties (see more). 

I want to know . . .
How does Wind Energy Work?
What are the Environmental Impacts?
How is wind energy being used?
More Frequently Asked Questions

Links:

• Wind Energy Development Policy
• Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS Information Center
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wind Energy Web Site
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Interim Guidelines to avoid and minimize wildlife impacts from wind turbines (1.8MB PDF)
• Assessing The Potential For Renewable Energy on Public Lands" Report (4.52MB PDF)
• BLM Wind Energy Policy (IM2003-020)
• Right-of-way management-Land Use Planning Directive (IM2002-196)
• New! SF 299: Application for Right-of-Way (563KB PDF) - mail or fax form to the appropriate office
• BLM Visual Resource Mgmt Web Page
• Dept. of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Web Site
• National Wind Technology Center Avian Issues Information
• National Wind Technology Center Wind Information Resources
• National Wind Coordinating Committee Web Site
• Renewable Energy Atlas of the West
• American Wind Energy Association
• Avian Fact Sheet - January 2003 (45KB PDF)
• Avian Collisions with Wind Turbines: A Summary of Existing Studies and Comparisons to Other Sources of Avian Collision Mortality in the United States - August 2001 (2.8MB PDF)
• 2006 Monitoring Fee Schedule for FLPMA and MLA Rights-of-Way (32KB PDF)
• 2006 Processing Fee Schedule for FLPMA and MLA Rights-of-Way (26KB PDF

Map of Utah's Wind Power Potential