Altamont: Public perceptions of a wind energy landscape

Abstract

This research examines public response to the Altamont Pass Wind Energy Development in California. A questionnaire accompanied by objectively chosen, representative photographs of the area was sent to 600 subjects, approximately half of whom lived within 10 miles of Altamont. Subjects regarded Altamont nearly universally as a highly conspicuous, man-made landscape. Agreement ended there, however, with subjects displaying a range of attitudinal responses. Survey results revealed that wind energy developments such as Altamont are perceived as complex environments neither easily categorized nor similarly evaluated. External, symbolic attributes such as safe and natural energy production, appropriateness, progress and safety figured highly in the attitudes of those favoring the Altamont development, while basic visual characteristics such as clutter and conspicuousness contributed to negative attitudes. Subjects who lived closer to Altamont and those more familiar with the area liked it less than subjects less familiar and those living farther away. Females, older persons and subjects with less education held more positive attitudes, while males, younger subjects and subjects with more education formed less positive attitudes. The advantages of wind developments most often chosen as important included lack of pollution, safety, long-term availability of wind and wind as a good alternative to other energy sources. The disadvantage most often chosen was the day-to-day unreliability of the wind. Despoliation of the scenery was the fourth most frequently-mentioned disadvantage. Noise was not an issue. Subjects preferred neutral color schems and olderly, uniform arrays of wind turbines. They also preferred fewer, larger turbines in a given land area rather than more, smaller ones. A significant finding concerned perceived reliability. When wind is blowing and most other turbines are spinning, large numbers of non-operating turbines apparently lead to public perceptions of technological or managerial incompetence or tax fraud. Inoperative turbines seemed to equal or exceed siting, design and scenic character in causing negative attitude formation among subjects.