An analysis of more than 50,000 home sales near 67 wind farms in nine states found no evidence that the big electricity-generating turbines have an impact on home prices. The report, by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, builds on work published in 2009, updating it with data on 2012 sales.
The National Association of Realtors has produced a “Field Guide to Wind Farms and Their Effect on Property Values,” that links to the 2009 version of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report and other research.
“As wind farms spread, local opposition to the massive towers (some are more than 400 feet tall) is appearing and is beginning to impact state regulation,” the trade group notes. “Residents not only oppose the turbines for aesthetic reasons, they also worry how wind farms will impact property values.”
Fast Company notes that the American Tradition Institute — a think tank that questions global warming and the environmental impact of nonrenewable energy sources like coal — had proposed in an internal memo publicizing potential impacts to property values as part of a broader strategy to oppose wind farms.
“Time to abandon your NIMBYism: Your backyard is a totally fine place for wind power,” Fast Company’s Co.Exist blog opines. The report was also covered by the Los Angeles Times, Denver Post, Salon, UPI and KCET.org. Source: fastcoexist.com.
