Renewable Energy

Maine Audubon supports policies that transition Maine to a clean energy economy. Advancements in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies mean that achieving 100% renewable energy consumption in Maine by 2050 can happen if we work collaboratively, diligently, and in the best interests of Maine’s people and wildlife alike.



Resources

Renewable Energy and Wildlife in MaineOur Nov. 2019 report, Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine: Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts to Wildlife and Habitat from Solar, Wind, and Transmission Facilities, describes the vulnerability of Maine’s wildlife and habitats to climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions and advocates for swiftly, but thoughtfully, replacing fossil fuels used to generate electricity with renewable energy sources.

The report describes the potential impacts to wildlife and their habitats from the siting, construction, and operations of a select portion of new renewable energy infrastructure. Specifically, it addresses onshore and offshore wind power, solar power, and transmission projects. The report also outlines policy considerations that Maine Audubon recommends Maine regulators, developers, and policy makers adopt in order to avoid, minimize, and mitigate those impacts.

Renewable Energy Siting Tool: This GIS tool provides resources developers and decision-makers need to locate solar and land-based wind projects in areas that avoid or minimize negative impacts to important wildlife habitats.

While many of the included data layers are individually available elsewhere, this tool brings these datasets together into one map and allows the visual display of siting principles developed by Maine Audubon’s biologists and ecologists.

 

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