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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)A list of frequently asked questions about the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS. Click a question below to see the answer.
What is an EIS?"EIS" is the abbreviation for environmental impact statement, a document prepared to describe the effects of proposed activities on the environment. "Environment," in this case, is defined as the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment. This means that the "environment" considered in an EIS includes land; water; air; structures; living organisms; environmental values at the site; and social, cultural, and economic factors. An "impact" is a change or consequence that results from an activity. Impacts can be positive or negative, or both. An EIS describes impacts, as well as ways to "mitigate" impacts. To "mitigate" means to lessen or remove adverse impacts. Therefore, an EIS is a document that describes the impacts on the environment as a result of a proposed action. It also describes impacts of alternatives, as well as plans to mitigate the impacts. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to prepare EISs for major federal actions with the potential for significant impact on the quality of the human environment. For more information on the Upper Great Plains Wind Programmatic EIS, visit About the PEIS. What is a Programmatic EIS?A Programmatic EIS (PEIS) evaluates the environmental impacts of broad agency actions, such as the development of programs or the setting of national policies. A PEIS usually does not evaluate specific project proposals; these are usually deferred to project-specific EISs through a process called tiering. For more information on the Upper Great Plains Wind Programmatic EIS, visit About the Upper Great Plains Wind PEIS. Why is the Upper Great Plains Wind Programmatic EIS Needed?The PEIS is being prepared to support Western Area Power Administration's (Western's) proposed comprehensive region-wide environmental program for wind-energy project interconnections. The PEIS will analyze environmental impacts resulting from development of wind energy projects, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, standard construction practices, and best management practices in reducing potential impacts. Impacts and mitigation would be analyzed for each environmental resource, and all aspects of wind energy projects would be addressed, including construction and installation of:
As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) moves forward in permitting wind-energy development on its easements, understanding the individual and cumulative impacts to wildlife habitat and wildlife is critical. It is essential that the Service consider the cumulative effects of the expansion of wind generation on wildlife, and important to understand which habitats should be avoided. For more information, visit Why the PEIS Is Needed. What is the scope of the analysis in the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS?The proposed action in this PEIS is for the Agencies to develop and implement agency-specific programs that would facilitate environmentally responsible wind energy development by establishing environmental policies and mitigation strategies related to wind energy development in six states (Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). These states are within Western's Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region and the Service's Region 6 grasslands and wetland easement program. For more information, visit What's In the Upper Great Plains Wind Programmatic EIS. Which lands are included in the scope of the PEIS?The PEIS will analyze potential impacts of wind energy development in Western's Upper Great Plains Customer Service Region and the Service's Region 6 grasslands and wetland easement program. The area includes all or portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Maps of the wind energy resources included in the study area are available. What alternatives will be analyzed in the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS?Three alternatives will be considered in the PEIS:
Additional alternatives may be identified during scoping. For more information, visit What's in the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS. What impacts and issues will be addressed in the PEIS?The PEIS will evaluate direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to:
The Agencies are soliciting comments and suggestions for issues to be considered in the PEIS. For more information, visit What's in the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS. Where will copies of the Draft PEIS be available?When completed, the Draft PEIS will be viewable, printable and downloadable in electronic form (PDF) on this Web site on the Documents page. In addition, printed copies of the Draft PEIS will be available on request. How can scoping comments on the PEIS be submitted?There are three ways to submit comments or suggestions on the scope of the Upper Great Plains Wind Energy PEIS:
Written comments or suggestions on the scope of the PEIS can be mailed to:
For more information, visit Getting Involved. Will scoping comments be available for public review?Yes. Comments will be posted on this Web site when available. When do the Agencies expect to publish a Final PEIS?The number and nature of the comments received on the Draft PEIS will determine the amount of time it will take to respond and to produce a Final PEIS. However, the current schedule calls for publishing a Final PEIS in the spring of 2010. For more information on the PEIS schedule, visit Upper Great Plains Wind PEIS Schedule. How will the public be involved with wind development projects after the PEIS is completed?The public can become involved directly with individual development projects as they undergo site-specific environmental analyses. Separate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) evaluations of future proposed projects will be produced and will provide opportunities for public involvement as required by NEPA. Didn't see your question here?Contact us at plainswindeis@anl.gov. We'll do our best to answer your question. |
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