Frequently Asked Questions in the Community
Below are questions we commonly hear from Communities considering wind development. Click on the question to link to the answer.
Will traffic in my area increase?
The wind farm will be in my community but not on my land. How will this benefit me?
Will the turbines harm or scare wildlife?
Will traffic increase in my area?
Construction typically lasts approximately six months to one year and during that time, several trucks per turbine are needed to transport materials to the project area. Prior to beginning construction, we work together with the engineering and construction firms and the local governments and community residents, to determine how to access the project area with minimal traffic and environmental disturbances.
Will I see the turbines?
Possibly, and possibly not. As part of our outreach efforts prior to wind farm construction, we will create visual simulations of the wind farm from various vantage points in the community and give residents the opportunity to provide feedback. Our goal is to ensure that the wind farm is beneficial for all involved. We welcome input.
The wind farm will be in my community but not on my land. How will this benefit me?
Wind farms pay taxes that support local communities and schools. During the construction phase, hundreds of additional workers will be in the community, generating business in local establishments. Local contractors, such as cement and surveying companies, will be hired as part of the construction process. Landowners who lease their land for wind development will spend their lease revenue in the local community.
Are turbines noisy?
Noise was an issue with some early wind turbine designs, but it has been largely eliminated as a problem through improved engineering and through appropriate use of setbacks from nearby residences. To put this into perspective, the sound from a wind turbine 300 meters away is as quiet as the reading room of a library.
Will the turbines harm or scare wildlife?
Wind's overall impact on birds is low compared with other human-related sources of avian mortality. No matter how extensively wind is developed in the future, bird deaths from wind energy are unlikely to ever reach as high as 1% of those from other human-related sources such as hunters, house cats, buildings, and autos. Although we currently don't have an extensive collection of studies on wind's impact on large species, many large animals, such as cows, antelopes and deer, can often be seen in close proximity to wind turbines. Wasatch Wind Intermountain works closely with state and federal wildlife agencies as well as environmental consultants and organizations to minimize impacts on wildlife and habitat.
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