Energy development in the Great Plains

Photo Credit

National Park Service Figure

Active oil and gas wells (shown in red) and wind turbines (shown in blue) in the Great Plains of the United States (black outline).

U.S. coal, oil, natural gas, and wind energy are concentrated in the grassland states, enabling them to be net exporters of energy. As energy demand continues to increase, increasing pressure will be placed on North American grassland systems. The tradeoff between the need and desire for energy and the conservation of lands within the grassland region leads to difficult management choices. In order to avoid and minimize ecological effects from energy production, potential ecological effects and opportunities to mitigate these effects need to be identified and summarized for land managers.

This study reviewed and summarized the extent and ecological effects of energy development and production in the Great Plains grassland system of the United States. It also identified opportunities to mitigate these effects during the planning, construction, and production phases of energy development. Continued research on energy development effects and mitigation measures will assist in the development and revision of best management practices beneficial to grassland health while providing needed energy for the United States.

Key Findings

• Primary effects during energy development include small- and large-scale soil disturbance and vegetation removal as small patches of grasslands are used to host oil or gas wells, wind turbine pads, associated roadways, and pipelines or through the conversion of large grassland areas to biofuel croplands. Habitat loss or habitat fragmentation can affect wildlife directly through increased mortality or indirectly through reduction in habitat quantity and quality. 
• During planning, energy development, and production effects can be reduced by carefully considering grassland effects during siting and even by selecting different energy types. 
• During construction, soil and plant systems effects can be minimized by eliminating weed populations prior to disturbance, salvaging and stockpiling topsoil for future revegetation, and harvesting native local seed for post-site restoration. 
• During production operations, noise and road traffic reduction plans and atmospheric monitoring will enable more informed mitigation measures.