The following topics are the most common concerns that are raised, when communities evaluate the opportunity and potential impacts of hosting a renewable energy facility in their area. Here you can find related research from both the renewable energy sector and qualified third party sources. GENERAL INFORMATION Survey of Complaints Received by Relevant Authorities Regarding Operating Wind Energy in Alberta, published July 2013, Pembina Institute webpage | PDF COMPENSATION Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases, published February 2017, Farmer’s Advocate Office, Alberta Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry webpage Landowner’s Guide to Wind Energy in Alberta, published Sept 2010, Pembina Institute webpage CONSTRUCTION Important considerations for municipalities when working with developers on the construction plan for a new project may include: Traffic (including speeding, parking, and related bylaw exemptions or enforcement) Local access across or around construction-impacted areas Public Safety Local Employment Community relations (examples include night-life, policing, rental housing stock, participation in local events) CONSULTATION Capital Power, in partnership with the Pembina Institute, is currently engaging Albertans in consultations to understand the best ways to continue building social support for wind energy development in the province. webpage | PDF DECOMMISSIONING Decommissioning wind and solar facilities involves some uncertainty, as this has not yet occurred given how new most of these projects are, and the long-term value of the contracts involved. However, recently the decommissioning of Canada’s first wind farm took place here in Southern Alberta. The process was expertly handled by the site owner, TransAlta, and its contractors. Canada’s first wind turbines to be dismantled this April, published March 2016, Pincher Creek Echo Decommissioning Canada’s oldest wind-farm, published March 2017, Wind Engineering & Development Download CanWEA’s Wind Facility Decommissioning and Repowering Guide ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE Environmental Impacts of Wind Power, updated March 2013, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists webpage Nature Canada: Impacts of Wind Energy on Bird Populationswebpage Wind Energy Bird & Bat Monitoring Database, a joint initiative of CanWEA and Environment Canada webpage Wildlife Directive for Alberta Wind Energy Projects, published January 2017, Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks PDF HEALTH Wind Turbine Syndrome; A Communicated Disease, published 2017, Simon Chapman and Fiona Chricton, Sydney University Press PDF The Potential Health Impacts of Wind Turbines, May 2010, by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health PDF Wind Turbines and Health; A Critical Review of the Scientific Literature, published Nov 2014, Journal of Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine webpage Wind Turbine Noise & Health Study; Summary of Results, published 2015, Health Canada webpage More resources related to wind energy and health at CanWEA.ca IMPACT ON VIEWS Wind Energy Landscapes, published 2012 by Macalester College, Minnesota webpage Are Aesthetics a Good Reason Not to be a Fan of Wind Power? Scientific American, webpage PROPERTY VALUES The Effects of Wind Turbines on Property Values in Ontario, published May 2015, University of Guelph/ Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics Report (Related University of Guelph press release)