U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program – Federal Wind Siting Information Center
Federal Wind Siting Participants
Across the government, federal agencies have a diversity of mission interests related to wind energy development. These interests are outlined below.
The Department of Energy and its industry partners lead the national investment to improve wind energy technology performance and reliability in order to move the technology to market in a responsible manner.
The Department of Defense has responsibility for military operations, including flight testing and training, and participates in the FAA's review and evaluation process for potential impacts to its airspace and its ability to defend the nation.
The Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has regulatory authority for the review and evaluation of potential impacts and obstructions from tall structures, including wind turbines, on the use and safety of civilian and military airspace.
The Department of Homeland Security has related concerns regarding wind turbines' potential disruption of effective radar applications.
The Department of the Interior, through four agencies — Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Land Management; Minerals Management Service; and Bureau of Indian Affairs — has responsibilities related to wind development on federal and tribal lands and along the Outer Continental Shelf, as well as the protection of endangered species and migratory birds.
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The Bureau of Land Management is charged with protecting and developing public lands for multiple-use purposes in a sustainable manner; one goal is to increase renewable energy generation on public lands.
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The Minerals Management Service is responsible for managing ocean energy and mineral resources. As part of that responsibility, the MMS is developing the regulatory framework and studies program for offshore renewable energy.
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The Fish and Wildlife service is dedicated to protecting and conserving fish, wildlife, and plant species and habitats. The agency writes environmental guidelines for turbine siting to manage wind turbine interactions with sensitive species and habitats.
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The Bureau of Indian Affairs has an interest in supporting opportunities for the development of wind energy resources on tribal lands and can facilitate the coordination of other federal agencies with individual tribes.
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The Department of Commerce's National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration has responsibility for operations of weather stations across the United States and interests in ensuring proposed wind development near or around weather stations are compatible with their radar operations.
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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration manages the government's use of the telecommunications spectrum.
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The Rural Development Program assists in financially supporting approved renewable energy projects and associated transmission.
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The Forest Service is responsbile for the sustainable development and protection of its lands and is working to craft siting guidelines for wind projects.
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