Renewable Energy and our National Parks

Wind Turbines

Generation and transmission of renewable energy includes utility-scale onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, and geothermal technologies and hydroelectricity. Many authorized and proposed projects to increase renewable energy resources are close to units of the National Park System and other special status areas under NPS administration, such as national trails and historic sites.

It is imperative that potential impacts associated with renewable energy development are considered early in the planning and permitting process to reduce cross-boundary impacts to national parks and ensure development on public lands is "smart from the start." Key partnerships with other federal and state agencies help to develop ways by which to identify, avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to parks. Park resources and values at risk include: water quantity and quality, air quality, wildlife, dark night skies, natural soundscapes, cultural resources, scenic views, soils, geologic and hydrologic processes, and park visitor experience.