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Wind Energy Stakeholder Debate

Wind Energy Stakeholder Debate. In-Class Activity. Overview. Students take on different roles of those involved with siting a wind farm Players range from environmentalists, to opposing neighborhood residents, to economists, to government agency officials

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Wind Energy Stakeholder Debate

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  1. Wind Energy Stakeholder Debate In-Class Activity

  2. Overview • Students take on different roles of those involved with siting a wind farm • Players range from environmentalists, to opposing neighborhood residents, to economists, to government agency officials • Each student/group of students takes on a different role and is given a brief synopsis of their role • Students speak to City Council, proposing either building or not building the wind farm based on their assigned role • The teacher or selected students act as City Council and decides who the winner of the debate is

  3. Objectives • Students will learn that putting up a wind plant is not a simple process, and it affects many people • Students will be introduced to the many different players in the wind energy development process • Students will become more familiar with the challenges presented when planning to put up a wind development

  4. Activity Preparation • Assign students roles: • Groups of students or individual students will take on each side of the debate • Equal number of teams for pros and cons • Determine who is on City Council: they will determine the winning side at the end of the debate • Read and understand assigned role: • Each student will review the fact sheet that corresponds to their role • They are to base their arguments in the debate on these facts • Students will attempt to appeal to City Council by arguing their side of the debate

  5. Issues surrounding wind farm development Pros Cons Wildlife impacts Impacts on existing fossil fuel industry Costs Noise Aesthetics Hazardous weather conditions • Zero pollutant emissions • Environmentally-friendly • Renewable energy • Declining costs • Economic benefits for local and national economy • Clean air means healthier air

  6. Proposal for Wind Farm • Family Farm Wind Co. is a wind energy company that has applied for a conditional-use permit to build a 1,000 acre wind farm just outside of town. The wind farm will consist of 62 industrial wind turbines and will provide electricity to 2,500 customers. • City Council is holding a Community Forum to discuss the proposed development, and everyone in town in invited. • Your job: to make City Council side with your arguments. • Use the facts on your handout and argue according to the opinions of your assigned role

  7. Rules! You may use information found on handout or other background knowledge, but must present facts! You may only speak to City Council when called on You may refute other side’s claims as soon as that side finishes speaking You should work together with teammates to appeal to council members Bribing is not discouraged (it must be in the form of campaign contributions of course)

  8. Ready, Set, Debate!

  9. Breaking News! • U.S. Congress has just passed legislation that would increase tax cuts on wind energy! • Land owners that provide leases to wind energy companies could earn an extra $1000/year • Wind energy companies will earn an extra 2 cents/KWH • Cities that host wind farms can earn extra tax revenue that can be used as funding for city programs or city-owned renewable energy initiatives • YOU CAN CHANGE SIDES if you feel this tax cut is important to your role! What would you do in this situation?

  10. Breaking News! • The wind developer discovered endangered bat populations in a location near the proposed wind farm • This population might be affected by the installation of wind turbines near their territory • The wind turbines could be moved farther from the bats’ homes, or could be turned off at low wind speeds when the bats are likely to be flying around the site • YOU CAN CHANGE SIDES if you feel this tax cut is important to your role! What would you do in this situation?

  11. End of Debate: Winners Decided City Council Members will now vote on a verdict. Will the wind farm be built or not?

  12. What have we learned? • Is deciding to build a wind farm an easy task? • How does the decision to build or not build a wind farm affect the citizens of the town as well as industry? • How can we come to a decision that will please the majority? • What will you take away from this activity?

  13. This Debate Is Happening Right Now Not Too Far From YOU • A wind farm has been proposed on Perrin Ranch, 13 miles north of Williams. • The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently spend two days of debate deciding to approve the project. • A conditional use permit must be approved by Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Board of Supervisors. • Community Meetings are currently going on to determine the proposed wind farm’s future.

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