The Volokh Conspiracy - Renewable Energy v. Wildlife

Environmental activists and alternative energy enthusiasts continue to discover that there's no such thing as "green" energy -- if by that we mean significant sources of energy free of significant environmental impacts.

Renewable-energy development, which the Obama administration has made a priority, is posing conflicts between economic interests and environmental concerns, not entirely unlike the way offshore oil and gas development pits economics against environment. But because of concerns about climate, many environmentalists and government agencies could find themselves straddling both sides, especially in Western states where the federal government is a major landowner.

As the push for renewable-energy development intensifies across the United States, scientists and activists have begun to voice concern that policymakers have underestimated the environmental impact of projects that are otherwise "green."

	[Jonathan Adler, April 16, 2009 at 4:04pm] Trackbacks Renewable Energy v. Wildlife Environmental activists and alternative energy enthusiasts continue to discover that there's no such thing as "green" energy -- if by that we mean significant sources of energy free of significant environmental impacts. Renewable-energy development, which the Obama administration has made a priority, is posing conflicts between economic interests and environmental concerns, not entirely unlike the way offshore oil and gas development pits economics against environment. But because of concerns about climate, many environmentalists and government agencies could find themselves straddling both sides, especially in Western states where the federal government is a major landowner. As the push for renewable-energy development intensifies across the United States, scientists and activists have begun to voice concern that policymakers have underestimated the environmental impact of projects that are otherwise "green."