This presentation prepared by appraiser Michael McCann examines the various studies that look at property value impacts near operating wind energy facilities. In this case, Mr. McCann looks at the Tipton County, Indiana ordinance and the effects of the proposed Juwi Wind project known as Prairie Breeze Wind Farm. The project was ultimately approved by Tipton County but a condition was placed on the permit that requires the developer guarantee there will be no negative effect on property values. The full presentation can be accessed at the links at the bottom of this page.

This case study investigates the impact of wind turbines on residential property values. The study looks at homes near the Melancthon Wind Facility located in Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. The project was built in two phases between 2006 and 2008. It consists of 133 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines with a total nameplate capacity of 200 megawatt. Excerpts of the report appear below. The full case study can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

The Northern Pass transmission line, if built, will carry 1200 MW of renewable energy from Canada to New England. The proposed transmission has set off a firestorm of opposition in New Hampshire where the line will bisect the state and travel through sensitive land areas. The debate concerning property value impacts is similar to the that involving wind turbines. Residents in New Hampshire commissioned two studies, a Resources Impact Report and an Appraisal Report, which looked at how the power line will impact their property. A summary of the two reports is excerpted below. Both reports can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

This residential property located near the Melancthon I and II wind energy facilities (2 hours NW of Toronto) was denied a bank line of credit due to the health risks caused by proximity to the transformer substations.

The Town of Hammond in New York is working to amend its wind law to require developers siting wind turbines within two miles of a property to sign a value guarantee agreement that would ensure property owners are appropriately compensated should they experience a decrease in value due to the turbines.

Certified appraiser Michael S. McCann submitted this testimony to the Adams County Board, Adams County Illinois in reference the impact of industrial scale wind energy development on residential property. Mr. McCann's testimony provides a detailed explanation of the impacts he has found and his recommendations to avoid harm to adjacent property when siting projects. An excerpt of his testimony is provided below. The full testimony can be accessed via the link at the bottom of this page.

Real estate appraisal experts are challenging the scientific credibility and accuracy of a recent US Department of Energy ('DOE') report on the effect of wind power projects on property values. Albert R. Wilson's new paper asserts that well known flaws in the methodology used in the study raise serious questions concerning the credibility of the results, and the DOE report's authors failed to follow well-developed and tested standards for performing regression analyses on property sales. His paper can be accessed by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.

Michael S. McCann CRA was one of about 20 invited reviewers to provide comments to Ben Hoen, Ryan Wiser et.al. in reference to the LBNL study which evaluated wind farm impacts on residential property values. Mr. McCann's comments on the preliminary and final releases of the LBNL study can be accessed by selecting the links at the bottom of this page. An excerpt of Mr. McCann's comments is shown below taken from his most recent comments to Hoen/Wiser on the final study report released in December 2009. Windaction.org wishes to thank Mr. McCann for permitting us to post his documents here.

Ben Hoen, Dr. Ryan Wiser, and others conducted a national study to determine the impact of industrial-scale wind turbines on nearby property values. The preliminary conclusions of the report were announced in 2007, however, no report has been released. Windaction.org had an opportunity to review the study's methodology and provide comments to Hoen and Wiser. Our comments can be accessed by downloading the file at the bottom of this page.