Please find listed below the major factors that determine whether your area of interest is suitable for a utility scale
wind project. If you have further questions please contact Steven Clarke, 617-626-1049
at the Executive Office
of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Wind Speed - Should be a minimum of 6 m/s. A wind project is not viable without adequate wind speed.
Noise - Turbines should be located a minimum of 1,000 feet away from any residences to avoid negative noise impact on
nearby residences (see yellow residential buffer on viewer).
Airport - Take note if proposed wind turbine site is within 3-5 miles of an airport. This may limit the size of a proposed
turbine, if not prevent a project altogether.
Environmental Protection Issues and Permitting - Each of the following will affect the viability of a proposed turbine
project:
Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program areas (NHESP)
Open Space (Article 97)
Wetlands
Massachusetts Audubon Society Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Current or former landfill
Wind Turbine Component Transportation and Access - Note proximity of roads to your site in regards to the transport of
turbine and construction equipment. One cannot build a turbine without adequate roads.
Proximity to Load and/or Transmission Lines - The distance to either a facility using electricity (load) and/or to
transmission lines that distribute the electricity used by the turbine, has a significant impact on the economic viability
of the project.
The following links lead to websites that discuss the above issues in greater detail:
