In 2010, TNC scientists focused on projections of how new energy development could impact natural habitats in Pennsylvania to shape strategies that avoid or minimize those impacts.
The Pennsylvania Energy Impacts Assessment sought to answer:
- How much of each energy type might be developed?
- What transmission infrastructure will be needed to get more electric power and natural gas to consumers?
- Where are these energy types most likely to be developed?
- How does the likely scale and location of future energy development overlap with priority conservation areas?
By answering these questions, conservationists can work more effectively with energy companies and government agencies to avoid, minimize, or offset habitat impacts in the future. This research developed credible energy development projections and assessed how they might affect high priority conservation areas across Pennsylvania. Marcellus natural gas, wind, wood biomass, and associated electric and gas transmission lines were chosen as the focus since these energy types have the most potential to cause land-use change in the state over the next two decades. The conservation impacts focus is on forest, freshwater, and rare species habitats.
