Booming growth in the U.S. wind energy industry creates special responsibilities for wind farm developers as large utility-grade wind turbines are increasingly placed closer to population centers, according to a recent white paper published by Dallas attorney Trey Cox. In his paper, the partner from Dallas' Lynn, Tillotson and Pinker, outlines key strategies for wind-farm developers to help insure continued public support for the young and fast-growing industry.
With wind-generated power expected to grow more than 20 percent in 2007, Mr. Cox says the industry's aggressive growth phase must occur in a way that does not diminish the public's widespread support for wind energy. In the white paper, "In Defense of the Wind," Mr. Cox lays out a series of best practices for wind energy developers during development and ongoing operation of wind farms.
Mr. Cox recommends concrete steps that wind farm developers can take to avoid complaints about noise from turbines while also being responsive to community concerns. The white paper includes important advice from Mr. Cox regarding his successful representation of the world's largest wind farm in the first U.S. private nuisance lawsuit against a wind farm.
Mr. Cox represented FPL Energy's Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center near Abilene, Texas, in a trial decided in December 2006. Jurors in the Horse Hollow case found in favor of FPL Energy after determining that the turbines did not create a nuisance.
Mr. Cox presents his white paper on Tuesday, June 5, at the American Wind Energy Association's Windpower 2007 Conference in Los Angeles.
