Overview
Wind turbines in Wyoming.
Scott Covington/USFWS
Federal and state policies on global climate change, economic recovery, and national energy security drive the development of a variety of domestic energy sources. Energy resource development is increasing, including traditional energy sources such as oil, gas and coal, and renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. Energy development is necessary to meet the needs of the American public, but there often are environmental impacts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) helps energy developers avoid and minimize those impacts.
The Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service provides developers, landowners, other federal agencies, states, and tribal interties with information and guidance regarding wildlife issues and federal laws and regulations. Our energy-related work ranges in scale from assistance for individual projects to coordinating with partners to plan across landscapes. The initial contact is usually with Ecological Services program field offices, but coordination of any required permits or access agreements for projects on Service lands may be with the appropriate Service management office (e.g., National Wildlife Refuges, fish hatcheries, or administrative lands).
Learn more about the Service's role in reviewing energy development projects.
Access the full document library for information regarding energy planning and development.