Wind energy projects in North America are more likely to be opposed by White, wealthy communities

Based on Stokes et al. Prevalence and predictors of wind energy opposition in North America. PNAS 120 (40) e2302313120 (2023).

In the US and Canada, wind farm opposition is led by small groups, localized in certain regions, and more likely in White, wealthy communities.

The Policy Problem

Local opposition can pose a significant barrier to the rapid deployment of wind energy, a critical piece of the clean energy transition. But which projects are opposed and why? Current research around wind energy opposition has focused on specific case studies or small geographic areas. Our study took a uniquely comprehensive look at wind farm opposition across the US and Canada to better determine how common opposition is and what factors predict it.

Key Findings and Proposed Solutions

  • In the US, opposition is concentrated in the Northeast. Wind projects in areas with high proportions of White residents and low proportions of Hispanic residents are more likely to face opposition. communities are more likely to face opposition.

  • In Canada, opposition is concentrated in Ontario. Wind projects in wealthy

  • Preventing clean energy projects in White, wealthy communities is an “energy privilege” as it leads to continued pollution from fossil fuel plants in poorer communities and communities of color.