Model wind zoning and wind ordinances can help citizens, businesses, and communities facilitate and streamline responsible wind energy development in a way that works well within a community.  

During the 2009 Legislative Session, the Utah Legislature passed a Joint Resolution on the matter of Renewable Energy Ordinances (SJR1 - Renewable Energy Systems, sponsored by Senator Pat Jones and Representative Chavez-Houck).  This resolution urges the Utah State Energy Program, local governments and interested stakeholders to work collaboratively to develop and/or adopt model ordinances for wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydro energy development.   

The Utah State Energy Program held stakeholder meetings and requested input from numerous stakeholders, including the League of Cities & Towns, Utah Division of Wildlife, the Governor's Energy Advisor's Office, Utah Clean Energy, the American Wind Energy Association, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, wind industry professionals, various Utah local governments, interested citizens, and other stakeholders. The near final draft Model Wind Ordinance for Utah is available here, and the final ordinance is available by contacting Elise Brown with the Utah State Energy Program. 

The model ordinance reflects accepted national practices for small wind, large wind, and anemometer towers. If your community or county is looking to adopt an ordinance or zoning for wind, we encourage you to use this ordinance as a template and reference.

Other resources for model ordinances and best practices are available on-line: 

• Report: Wind Turbines Don't Lower Home Property Values
• Panel Report: Wind Turbines Not Harmful to Human Health
• Model ordinance created by the American Wind Energy Association
• Wind zoning toolbox
• General information on zoning for small wind
• AWEA Small Wind Model Zoning fact sheet
• Minnesota Model Wind Energy Ordinance
• Minnesota Wind Ordinance Scoping Document
• Natrona County, Wyoming Model Commercial Ordinance
• NYSERDA Model Wind Zoning
• Permitting of Wind Facilities Handbook (NWCC) National Wind Coordinating Committee

If you need assistance with wind zoning & ordinances, please contact Bonnie Christiansen with Utah Clean Energy or Elise Brown with the Utah State Energy Program.