Local power: understanding the adoption and design of county wind energy regulation

Lerner, Michael ORCID: 0000-0002-2402-0300 (2022) Local power: understanding the adoption and design of county wind energy regulation. Review of Policy Research, 39 (2). 120 - 142. ISSN 1541-132X

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Abstract

The majority of U.S. states have set targets for renewable energy, but the prospects for meeting most of these goals hinge on the willingness of local governments to allow large-scale renewable energy projects in their communities. In this paper, I investigate how exposure to lobbying by wind developers and the actions of neighboring jurisdictions inform the adoption and design of rules for siting commercial wind farms. Using data collected from 1603 counties in 23 states, I find local policymakers are more likely to enact wind ordinances when they have more time to interact with wind developers and when neighboring counties have adopted wind ordinances or approved the construction of wind farms. I also observe that counties tend to adopt more stringent rules when more wind farms have been built in neighboring counties. This evidence suggests that efforts to scale up renewable energy generation may encounter increasing resistance from local governments.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15411338
Additional Information:	© 2021 John Wiley & Sons
Divisions:	LSE
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2021 12:03
Last Modified:	20 Dec 2024 00:42
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/112757

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