Recently a group of conservationists, wind developers, Native American tribes, and state environmental officials sent a list of recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior on how best to avoid and minimize wind energy impacts on wildlife habitats.  Now that new bills are emerging in Congress that address solar and wind generation on public lands, these recommendations can help sha

The Wilderness Society has been working hard to ensure that renewable energy facilities are only built on lands that are free from wildlife, habitat, and other conflicts. Part of this work is identifying “brownfields” — former trade and industry centers that have since fallen into disrepair — that could have solar, wind, or geothermal facilities sited on them. Siting renewable energy on brownfields has excellent effects on lands, communities, and our country’s clean energy prospects.

I’m in The Big Easy today to engage in a national dialog on redeveloping  brownfields for renewable energy. (Brownfields are parcels of land that have been previously used for industrial purposes). The Environmental Protection Agency, under the leadership of Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus, is doing some exciting things to capitalize on this remarkable opportunity.