From our colleague Eric Martin:

After over two years of work, the federal Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (“Committee”) recently released its final policy recommendations on how wind energy developers and operators can best assess and prevent adverse impacts to wildlife. Comprised of government, environmental, and wind industry stakeholders, the Committee recommends a five-tier

On March 12, 2010, the Arizona Game and Fish Department ("AGFD") released finalized guidelines for solar development in Arizona ("Solar Guidelines"), the objective of which "is to assist energy developers in identifying potential impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitats from their proposed development and potential alternatives to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate for these negative impacts."  The AGFD encourages local governments and permitting authorities to integrate the recommended study proposals described in the Solar Guidelines.  The document is organized around five basic project development steps:

  1. Wildlife Protection Regulations
  2. AGFD Regulations and Review
  3. Gather preliminary information and conduct site screening
  4. Identify potential impacts to wildlife
  5. Mitigation

The Solar Guidelines were compiled by the AGFD employees and have not undergone any external public review or input from the solar energy industry.  It should be noted that some of the information contained in the Solar Guidelines was taken from the AGFD’s wind guidelines.  In light of the fact that county officials often defer to the AGFD in matters of wildlife concerns, special attention should be given to the section of the Solar Guidelines focused on "Avoiding or Minimizing Impacts" and the recommendations contained therein.Continue Reading Solar Development Guidelines Released by Arizona Game and Fish Department