DOE property value study

The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has undertaken a study to determine the impact of utility-scale wind turbines on property values. In June 2007, the preliminary results of the study presented at the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) annual meeting showed "No effects found" on property values.

The study analyzes four sites, including areas in Somerset County and Wayne County, PA which are already highly-industrialized including active and reclaimed strip mines. This is in direct contrast with target sites like rural Lempster, NH not included in the EERE study. The topographical map of Lempster reveals a site with no industrialization and located at least fifteen miles from the nearest interstate highway.

While the final EERE report is not due until 2008, the preliminary results rushed to the AWEA annual meeting appear suspect, insufficiently sampled, and overly generalized.