Wind Energy Law and Ethics: A Meeting of Kant, Leopold and Cultural Relativism

Abstract

The emerging field of wind energy, like many other emerging technologies, develops in the early stages with little or no regulation. This stage of development gives rise to consideration of an ethic which can originate from those involved in the development of wind energy, or from legislative or executive solutions to societal impacts that are perceived to need regulation in the developing technology. This article identifies ethical and legal issues which have become important in the emerging field of wind energy, evaluates these from a theoretical ethical foundation, and examines areas where laws and ethics are at the forefront of resolution of wind energy issues. Finally, the importance of recognizing the pursuit of an energy policy as an ethically imperative role of government is examined.

Keywords: wind energy, technology, ethics, regulations, legislation, societal impact, wind energy laws, public policy, government, Kant, Leopold, cultural relativism, American Wind Energy Association, environment

JEL Classification: K19, K10, K32