Information from these studies will be used to assess potential risks to wildlife and to attempt to minimize the effects of planned offshore development on wildlife. Since then, BRI has been involved in over 50 offshore wind energy-related research studies. In recent years, a main focus area for the program has been the provision of technical expertise to the Environmental Technical Working Group for Offshore Wind (E-TWG).

Migrating landbirds and bats can use offshore and coastal areas, including islands. We have conducted a series of coastal and offshore migration studies on bats and migrating birds, including raptors and songbirds.

Onshore wind energy and solar development can also present risks to birds and bats. BRI biologists work to understand these wildlife populations and how best to minimize risks of renewable energy development.

• NYSERDA. 2020. Stakeholder Workshop: Scientific Research Framework to Understand the Effects of Offshore Wind Energy Development on Birds and Bats in the Eastern United States. Building Energy Exchange, March 4-6, 2020. NYSERDA Report 20-26. Prepared by J Gulka and K Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland ME. nyserda.ny.gov/publications
• Stenhouse, I. J., A. M. Berlin, A. T. Gilbert, M. W. Goodale, C. E. Gray, W. A. Montevecchi, L. Savoy, & C. S. Spiegel. 2020. Assessing the exposure of three diving bird species to offshore wind areas on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf using satellite telemetry. Divers. Distrib. 26(12):1703-1714.
• Allison, TD, J Diffendorfer, E Baerwald, J Beston, D Bigger, D Drake, A Hale, C Hein, M Huso, S Loss, J Lovich, D Strickland, K Williams, V Winder. 2019. The ecological impacts of the siting and operation of wind energy in the United States. Issues in Ecology 21:1-24.
• NYSERDA. 2019. The Dynamic Ocean: Offshore Wind Energy and Other Activities in the New York Bight. NYSERDA Report 19-39. Prepared by: KA Williams, I Stenhouse, J Gulka, and D Meattey, Biodiversity Research Institute (Portland, ME). 20 pp.
• Sussman, AL, B Gardner, EM Adams, L Salas, KP Kenow, DR Luukkonen, MJ Monfils, WP Mueller, KA Williams, M Leduc-Lapierre, EF Zipkin. A comparative analysis of common methods to identify waterbird hotspots. 2019. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 10:1454-1468.
• Gulka, JG and KA Williams. 2019. The State of the Science on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy Development: Proceedings for a Workshop held November 13-14, 2018, in Woodbury, New York. 84 pp. Available at: https://www.nyetwg.com/past-workshops
• Goyert, HF, B Gardner, RR Veit, AT Gilbert, EE Connelly, M Duron, S. Johnson & KA Williams. 2018. Evaluating habitat, prey, and mesopredator associations in a community of marine birds. ICES Journal of Marine Science 75(5):1602-1612.
• Williams, KA, EE Connelly, SM Johnson & IJ Stenhouse, eds. 2015. Wildlife Densities and Habitat Use Across Temporal and Spatial Scales on the Mid-Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf: Final Report to the Department of Energy Wind & Water Power Technologies Office. Report BRI 2015-11. 715 pp.

For the full reports listed below, and to learn more about the New York State Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) click here.

• Carpenter, J.R., K.A. Williams, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Environmental Stratification Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Albany, NY. 14 pp. Available at: https://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Cook, A., K.A. Williams, E. Jenkins, J. Gulka, and J. Liner. 2021. Bird Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Albany, NY. 37 pp. Available at https://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Degraer, S., Z.L. Hutchison, C. LoBue, K.A. Williams, J. Gulka, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Benthos Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Albany, NY. 45 pp. Available at http://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Gitschlag, G., R. Perry, K. A. Williams, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Sea turtle workgroup report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Albany, NY. 22 pp. Available at https://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Hein, C., K. A. Williams, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Bat Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Albany, NY. 21 pp. Available at https://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Popper, A. N., L. Hice-Dunton, K.A. Williams, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Sound and Vibration Effects on Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Albany, NY. 20 pp. Available at www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.
• Southall, B., L. Morse, K.A. Williams, and E. Jenkins. 2021. Marine Mammals Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts. Report to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Albany, NY. 50 pp. Available at https://www.nyetwg.com/2020-workgroups.