Determining appropriate wind turbine setback distances: Perspectives from municipal planners in the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 782 - 789
• Main Authors: Watson, Ian, Betts, Stephen, Rapaport, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2012; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Applied sciences; Canada; Comparative analysis; Economic data; Energy; Energy economics; Energy planning; Energy policy; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; interviews; issues and policy; Land use; Land utilization; Location; Location of industry; Municipality; Natural energy; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Planners; Provincial regulation; Quebec; Quebec (province); Regulation; Setback; Studies; Turbines; Urban planning; Wind energy; Wind power; wind turbines; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Quebec; Ontario Canada; Canada; Nova Scotia Canada; Quebec Canada; Canada, Quebec; Canada, Nova Scotia; Setback; Wind energy; Municipality; Decision making; Wind generator; Housing; Road infrastructure; Implementation; Survey; Site selection; Planning; Distance; Municipal scope
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.11.046

This paper uses a series of interviews to investigate how municipal planners in three Canadian provinces (Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Ontario) influence setbacks that regulate appropriate locations for wind turbines. Setbacks are provisions in local land use policies that dictate required separation distances between wind turbines and other land uses. Results of the study indicate that planners are not using a consistent method to ascertain appropriate distances and are often constrained by a lack of experience, resources, and expertise. These findings have important implications for wind energy regulation. Setbacks are intended to reasonably protect the public from the impacts of wind turbines, while allowing for some development. Municipalities in Canada may be best placed to consider local impacts of wind power, but the challenges identified raise concerns about potential arbitrariness. Setbacks that are unjustifiably high can unnecessarily close off territory and limit the ability to reach renewable energy targets. Taking regulatory power away from municipalities, as has happened in Ontario, can facilitate achievement of provincial targets, but may also increase opposition to projects at the local level. ► Inconsistent methods used for establishing wind turbine setbacks. ► Most common method used is a review of other setback by-laws. ► Barriers to implementation of setbacks include knowledge, resources, and consensus. ► Recommend documentation of planning process in setting setbacks.