The Power of Misinformation in Blocking Clean Energy Reform

Our Perspectives / Published April 3, 2024

SARAH JESSIE LIEZFracTracker Communications Intern

In this article, FracTracker’s Communications Intern Sarah Liez discusses the role of misinformation as an obstacle to clean energy reform and how it stalls initiatives aimed at transitioning to renewable sources of power.

In Gardner, Kansas, Donna Knoche, 93, found herself at a county commission hearing, defending her family’s land against plans for a solar farm. The fight wasn’t just about property rights; it symbolized a national battle over renewable energy and the future of the planet. Despite having deep roots in the land her grandfather homesteaded, Donna faced opposition from neighbors who believed solar panels would ruin the area’s rural character and threaten their well-being. As the debate raged on, it became clear that the conflict was about more than just energy — it was about identity, property rights, and the changing landscape of rural America.

Resistance to renewable energy is a growing movement across the United States. In the ongoing battle for clean energy reform, the power of misinformation has emerged as a formidable obstacle, hindering progress and stalling initiatives aimed at transitioning to renewable sources of power. Despite the urgent need to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, misinformation campaigns have sown doubt, confusion, and resistance among communities, policymakers, and the public at large.

This dissemination of false or misleading information has fueled opposition to clean energy projects, such as wind and solar farms, and has undermined efforts to enact necessary reforms. Understanding the role of misinformation in blocking clean energy reform is crucial for developing effective strategies to overcome these challenges and advance towards a sustainable energy future.

Non-Renewable vs. Renewable Energy

When someone thinks of energy — the invisible force driving our electrical grid, powering our homes, and charging our electronics — their mind typically gravitates towards traditional sources like coal, natural gas, and oil. Today, there exist two central types of energy: non-renewable and renewable.

Non-renewable Energy

Non-renewable energy refers to sources that cannot be replaced or replenished once used. Most non-renewable sources are fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are formed from the decomposition of ancient organic matter, subjected to immense heat and pressure over millions of years. These energy sources are prized for their affordability and global accessibility as they can be easily extracted, stored, and transported worldwide.

However, their combustion poses significant environmental hazards. For one, when coal and oil are burned they emit particles that contaminate the air, water, and soil. Their burning also disrupts Earth’s carbon balance by releasing mass amounts of carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. By extracting and releasing this stored carbon into the atmosphere, the Earth’s carbon balance is disrupted, leading to accelerated temperature increases that give rise to climate change and environmental degradation.

Another source of non-renewable energy is nuclear energy. Nuclear power plants generate electricity by splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission, with uranium being the most common element used in this process. While nuclear energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation, it generates radioactive waste and carries the risk of accidents such as that of Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to sources that can be replaced or replenished naturally over time, and that are not depleted when used. These sources include sunlight, wind, water (hydropower), geothermal heat, and biomass. Unlike non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels and nuclear energy, which are finite and can be exhausted over time, renewable energy sources are sustainable and environmentally friendly. They offer the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate climate change, and promote energy independence in America.

While renewable energy sources offer significant benefits, they also present several challenges as well. Depending on the source, renewable energy may have an intermittent nature, dependent on weather conditions, that can strain grid stability and necessitate additional infrastructure for storage and backup power. Large-scale deployment of renewable energy technologies, such as solar farms and wind turbines, often require substantial land area as well, potentially leading to land use conflicts and habitat disruption. Initial upfront costs for installation can be prohibitive, although the long-term expenses prove more cost-effective over time.

Ted Auch, FracTracker Alliance, 2021

Clean Energy and Misinformation

While there exist many upsides to using clean energy, the greatest being their mitigation of climate change impacts, misinformation often plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions and policy decisions related to clean energy reform. Anti-renewable energy campaigns, often in promotion of fossil fuel interests, may spread false or misleading information about the efficacy and reliability of clean energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This can create doubt among policymakers, investors, and the general public, hindering the adoption of and investment in these technologies.

Wind Energy

Wind turbines, a primary renewable energy source, are increasingly associated with significant damage through a burgeoning narrative of misinformation linking them to significant environmental and human harm. Concerns range from aesthetic impacts to tangible environmental issues like bird migration disruption and ecosystem disturbance. While these concerns are rooted in scientific inquiry and seek to address renewable energy use, they’re often distorted by disinformation and exaggeration, enabling fearmongering and polarization in political discourse. In lashing out against wind energy, people typically cite two popular misconceptions about wind farms: they are extremely harmful to wildlife and there are negative health effects associated with wind turbines.

Impacts to Wildlife

Like all energy projects, wind energy developments do have the potential to impact wildlife and the environment. As projects undergo development, concerns arise about potential negative effects on wildlife, particularly birds, bats, and marine mammals in offshore developments. In 2019, the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute summarized the impacts to wildlife of wind energy siting and operation in the United States. In 2020, the organization estimated that wind turbines correspond to less than 0.01 percent of all estimated bird mortality from human activity per year. In 2023, the organization also provided evidence to counter the claim that noise from wind developments can potentially cause mortality in whales.

To address concerns about wildlife, developers are required to employ various methods to screen potential sites for wildlife impacts, including desktop analysis and active monitoring. During construction, activities are adjusted to minimize disturbances to sensitive species, such as avoiding mating or breeding seasons. Once operational, wind energy sites continue to monitor wildlife impacts and implement strategies to minimize harm, such as curtailment of turbine blades and deterrent technology.

Impacts to Human Health

The correlation between wind turbines and health impacts, in particular, sparks intense debate. Some contend that reported health issues — such as sleep disturbances, headaches, and intense annoyance — stem from factors like electromagnetic fields (EMF), shadow flickers, audible noise, low-frequency noise, and infrasound generated by turbine operation. However, scientific research itself has not conclusively linked these symptoms to the operation of wind turbines themselves. Numerous comprehensive studies and reviews conducted by government agencies, academic institutions, and health organizations have found no direct evidence supporting the claim that properly sited wind turbines cause adverse health effects. Many experts attribute reported health concerns to factors such as pre-existing health conditions, psychological responses, and individual sensitivity to noise or changes in the local environment.

It’s essential, too, to note that concerns about wind turbine impacts on health are often influenced by subjective experiences, community perceptions, and socio-political factors. While some individuals may report negative health effects, the broader scientific consensus suggests that when wind turbines are appropriately sited and regulated, they pose minimal risk to human health. Overall, while ongoing research continues to examine the potential health implications of wind energy, the current evidence indicates that properly managed wind turbines installations are not inherently harmful to human health.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is a key component of renewable energy, and like wind energy it has faced its fair share of misinformation and misconceptions. Addressing misinformation about solar energy is crucial for fostering informed decision-making and promoting its wider adoption as a clean and sustainable energy source. When it comes to solar energy, individuals usually take issue with its potential environmental impacts and storage challenges.

Environmental Impact

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Physics, experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado addressed and debunked two prevalent myths surrounding solar panels. The first myth suggests that widespread uptake of solar energy will result in a significant accumulation of discarded panels, leading to environmental waste issues. The researchers clarify that while concerns about solar panel waste exist, they are often overstated, with the projected amount of waste being relatively small compared to other sources, such as coal. Moreover, the majority of solar panel waste is recyclable, with a growing recycling industry aimed at recovering materials for reuse.

The second myth pertains to the alleged toxicity of solar panels, which has been exaggerated in media reports and even propagated by government departments. Misinformation about toxic materials present in solar modules has led to misleading claims about the potential harms posed by solar waste to human health and the environment. However, the researchers found that the two most common types of solar panels contain minimal amounts of toxic materials like lead and cadmium, and are generally safe. Advancements in solar technology are leading to longer panel lifespans and improved recyclability.

Storage Challenges

Misinformation surrounds the storage capabilities of solar energy, as well. Critics often claim that storing solar energy for use during nighttime or cloudy periods is inefficient or impractical. However, advancements in battery technology and grid infrastructure have improved the feasibility of storing solar energy, enabling more reliable and flexible energy systems.

Storage technology can be utilized effectively in various weather conditions, including rainy and snowy days, as sunlight still reaches the Earth, and it’s important to note that solar panels collect light, not heat. During periods of high sunlight or low demand, solar energy storage allows for the capture and retention of surplus electricity produced by solar panels. This excess energy is stored in various storage systems, such as batteries or thermal energy storage, for later use when solar generation is insufficient or when demand peaks. Through monitoring and control systems, stored energy can be efficiently managed and released as needed, enhancing grid stability and optimizing the utilization of solar power.

Facebook Groups

Interestingly, Facebook Groups have emerged as a breeding ground for renewable energy misinformation. Many anti-renewables campaigns stake their claims on groups like “Citizens for Responsible Solar” and “Citizens for Clear Skies” where people share stories and statistics with no oversight to verify their validity.

In 2022, Distilled writer explored this strange phenomenon by joining 40 clean energy opposition groups on the social platform. In these groups, stories of wind turbines ablaze and solar panels poisoning water supplies dominated the conversation, painting a grim picture of clean energy’s safety and viability. Despite expert consensus on the cleanliness, safety, and affordability of wind and solar energy — for data reveals that incidents of turbine fires are rare, with no reported injuries, and claims of “wind turbine syndrome” remain unsubstantiated by scientific research — these Facebook groups disseminate clearly misleading information.

The influences of these groups extend beyond mere rhetoric as local policies shift in response to the growing apprehension, leading to wind and solar bans, postponements that delay projects, and stringent regulations that hinder the development of nearly any clean energy infrastructure. Ultimately, the spread of misinformation on social media platforms like Facebook is impeding the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, hindering efforts to meet climate targets and exacerbating the challenges faced by the clean energy sector.

Fossil Fuel Interests

The fossil fuel industry, unsurprisingly, has employed a longstanding campaign to discredit renewable energy and falsely trumpet their environmental impacts. In September, California went as far as to file a lawsuit against five major oil companies for spending decades misleading the public about the dangers of fossil fuels. And as our climate crisis worsens, the fossil fuel industry continues to employ orchestrated efforts to combat renewable energy projects, driven by vested interests in maintaining reliance on fossil fuels.

The industry often employs deceptive tactics to influence the public, such as creating sham grassroots organizations known as “astroturf” groups to disseminate misinformation. These groups mimic genuine grassroots movements but serve the interests of powerful entities. While grassroots organizations emerge authentically from shared concerns, astroturf groups are funded by corporations to advance their agendas. Even some local groups, though not directly linked to the fossil fuel industry, adopt messaging similar to that of larger fossil fuel-funded groups, demonstrating an “information subsidy” effect. Connections between these groups can be explicitly, as seen in examples like the American Coalition for Ocean Protection, backed by fossil fuel-funded organizations like the Caesar Rodney Institute.

The Consequences of Misinformation

Across the U.S., misinformation is casting doubt on renewable energy, impeding the progress of projects or even derailing them entirely. Each rural utility-scale wind and solar project requires approval from local or state authorities for construction. Governmental decision-making is often permeated with misinformation and anti-renewable discourse from local advocacy groups. Without local governments implementing regulations that facilitate the placement of renewable infrastructure, the goals of these policies cannot be achieved.

While host communities are typically enthusiastic about renewable energy’s economic and environmental benefits, they often encounter local opposition. A 2022 study conducted by Columbia Law School found that wind and solar projects faced delays due to local opposition in 49 states. Local governments in 31 states had already enacted restrictive policies, making it harder or even impossible to enact clean energy reform.

In 2021, a study performed by the Department of Energy found that setback regulations now represent the greatest obstacle to securing sites for wind projects in the U.S. Setbacks determine the minimum distance between wind projects and buildings, aiming to mitigate issues such as noise and “shadow flicker” — the phenomenon where moving turbine shadows and sunlight cause strobing effects on buildings. While setbacks are often justified for safety and environmental reasons, misinformation can lead to excessively strict setback requirements, often resulting in de facto bans on renewable energy development.

2024 Election Year

During election seasons, the influence and importance of misinformation becomes particularly pronounced. Since the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the concept of “fake news” has taken over conservative media, often invalidating accurate claims on controversial topics. After the 2020 presidential election, false claims alluding to widespread voter fraud or rigged election systems permeated politics and media as well. Misinformation tends to proliferate through various channels — such as social media, news outlets, and political advertisements — and misinformation campaigns often target specific demographics or exploit societal divisions to sow distrust or confusion among voters.

The impact of misinformation on political elections, like that of clean energy campaigns, can be significant. It has the potential to shape public perception, sway voter decisions, and even undermine the integrity of the electoral process itself. It can contribute to polarization and social unrest, further complicating efforts to govern effectively and address pressing issues, whether those be political or environmental.

As the battleground expands from local communities to the broader political arena, the ramifications of misinformation reverberate nationally. From grassroots movements in rural towns to high-stakes electoral contests, opposition fueled by unfounded claims threaten to thwart the transition to clean energy on a larger scale. With climate targets looming on the horizon, the urgency to discern truth from deception intensifies.

What’s Next?

By taking action, you can play a role in preventing and combating renewable energy misinformation, contributing to a more informed public discourse and a greater understanding of the benefits of renewable energy. To prevent and recognize misinformation, there are several proactive steps that you can take:

Educate Yourself and Others

You should seek out reliable sources of information on renewable energy from reputable authorities such as scientific organizations, government agencies, and academic institutions. Understanding the basics of renewable energy technologies and their benefits can help discern fact from fiction, as well.

Engaging in constructive dialogue and conversations with others about renewable energy can also help dispel myths and misinformation. Encourage open discussions based on facts, evidence, and respectful exchange of ideas.

Learn to Fact-Check and Recognize Misinformation

Before sharing information about renewable energy on social media or with others, always fact-check the information and its source to ensure its accuracy. Fact-checking websites and resources can help verify claims and identify misinformation.

Moreover, when encountering information about renewable energy, you should critically evaluate the credibility of the source. Look for evidence-based information supported by data, research, and expert analysis, rather than relying on anecdotes or opinions. It is also important to investigate the authors behind sources and whether they may have any personal ties to the issues at hand, whether they be working for either a fossil fuel or a renewable energy company.

If you do encounter misinformation on social media or other sites, you should report it to relevant authorities, fact-checking organizations, or social media platform moderators. Reporting misinformation can help prevent its spread and promote accurate information.

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Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania Fracking Story Map

June 11, 2021

FracTracker’s aerial survey of unconventional oil & gas infrastructure and activities in northeast PA to southern OH and central WV

Ohio & Fracking Waste: The Case for Better Waste Management

June 3, 2021

Insights on Ohio’s massive fracking waste gap, Class II injection well activity, and fracking waste related legislation

Pennsylvania Conventional Well Map Update

May 27, 2021

There are over 100,000 active conventional wells in PA, with more permitted each year. Most are unplugged, posing serious threats to the climate.

EPA

Impacts of 2020 Colonial Pipeline Rupture Continue to Grow

May 26, 2021

In August 2020, the Colonial Pipeline ruptured, spilling an estimated 1.2 million gallons of gasoline—18 times more than originally reported.

Jared Durelle

Gas Storage Plan vs. Indigenous Rights in Nova Scotia

May 20, 2021

6 Comments

The Mi’kmaq First Nations people are facing threats to their lands and water due to plans in Nova Scotia proposed by AltaGas.

Mapping Gathering Lines in Bradford County, Pennsylvania

May 19, 2021

2 Comments

FracTracker mapped gathering lines in Bradford County, PA. Public data on gathering lines are incomplete, leaving us to fill in the gaps.

Trends in fracking waste coming to New York State from Pennsylvania

April 20, 2021

2 Comments

Over the past decade, New York State has seen a steep decline in the quantity of waste products from the fracking industry sent to its landfills for disposal. Explore FracTracker's 2020 updated data.

2021 Pipeline Incidents Update: Safety Record Not Improving

April 14, 2021

The map below shows 6,950 total incidents since 2010, translating to 1.7 incidents per day. Pipelines are dangerous, in part because regulation around them is ineffective.

New York State Oil & Gas Well Drilling: Patterns Over Time

April 1, 2021

5 Comments

In this article, we look specifically at spatial and temporal patterns in oil and gas drilling across New York State.

Risky Byhalia Connection Pipeline Threatens Tennessee & Mississippi Health, Water Supply

March 17, 2021

2 Comments

The proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline project is situated in a particularly problematic intersection where environmental justice, hydrology, geology, and risks to human and environmental health intersect.

Shell’s Falcon Pipeline Under Investigation for Serious Public Safety Threats

March 17, 2021

Shell’s Falcon Pipeline, which is designed to carry ethane to the Shell ethane cracker in Beaver County, PA for plastic production, has been under investigation by federal and state agencies, since 2019.

Kern County’s Drafted EIR Will Increase the Burden for Frontline Communities

March 4, 2021

Built on sound data and ample research, FracTracker recommends several measures be taken to protect the health of California's overburdened Frontline Communities.

FracTracker Alliance, 2021

Pennsylvania’s Waste Disposal Wells – A Tale of Two Datasets

February 26, 2021

VIEW MAP & DATA Overview Access to reliable data…

California Oil & Gas Setbacks Recommendations Memo

February 23, 2021

The purpose of this memo is to recommend guidelines to CalGEM for evaluating the economic value of the social benefits and costs to people and the environment in requiring a 2,500 foot setback for oil and gas drilling (OGD) activities.

Oil and Gas Wells on California State Lands

February 12, 2021

The fossil fuel industry has historically taken advantage of…

Industrial Impacts in Michigan: A Photo Essay & Story Map

January 29, 2021

Southwest Detroit and neighboring South Rockwood in Monroe County…

People and Production: Reducing Risk in California Extraction

December 17, 2020

2 Comments

Executive Summary New research shows that low-income communities…

Documenting emissions from new oil and gas wells in California

November 18, 2020

Working with the environmental nonprofit Earthworks,…

Energy Security, International Investment, and Democracy in the US Shale Oil & Gas Industry

October 15, 2020

FracTracker in the Field: Building a Live Virtual Map

August 14, 2020

August 19, 2020 Update: The virtual story map is live! In…

The Loyalsock Watershed Project

…

Mapping gathering lines in OH and WV feature

Mapping Gathering Lines in Ohio and West Virginia

July 2, 2020

As a spring 2020 intern with FracTracker, my work mostly involved…

Oil & Gas waste tank operated by SWEPI and Enervest at the Hayes pad, Otsego County, Michigan May 21st, 2016

The North Dakota Shale Viewer Reimagined: Mapping the Water and Waste Impact

June 18, 2020

2 Comments

We updated the FracTracker North Dakota Shale Viewer with current…

Falcon Pipeline Construction Releases over 250,000 Gallons of Drilling Fluid in Pennsylvania and Ohio

June 16, 2020

Part of the Falcon Public Environmental Impact Assessment - a…

Systematic Racism in Kern County Oil and Gas Permitting Ordinance

June 8, 2020

Kern County, California has approved at least 18,356 illegal…

Fracking Water Use in Pennsylvania Increases Dramatically

May 29, 2020

1 Comment

Unconventional wells in Pennsylvania were always resource-intensive,…

North Brooklyn Pipeline demographics map

New Yorkers mount resistance against North Brooklyn Pipeline

May 18, 2020

3 Comments

By Kim Fraczek (Sane Energy Project), with input and mapping…

Map of New 2020 Fracking Permits in California

California, Back in Frack

May 7, 2020

California is once again a fracked state. The moratorium on well…

California Setback Analyses Summary

April 2, 2020

2 Comments

FracTracker Alliance has conducted numerous spatial analyses…

Compressor station within Loyalsock State Forest, PA.

Air Pollution from Pennsylvania Shale Gas Compressor Stations – REPORT

March 19, 2020

Air pollution from Pennsylvania shale gas compressor stations…

New York State Oil & Gas Wells – 2020 Update

March 11, 2020

4 Comments

We’ve recently updated the New York State Oil and Gas Well…

National Energy and Petrochemical Map

February 28, 2020

1 Comment

This map from FracTracker Alliance is filled with energy and petrochemical data. Explore the map, continue reading to learn more, and see how your state measures up!

California Governor Gavin Newsom looks at surface expression oil spills

Governor Newsom Must Do More to Address the Cause of Oil Spill Surface Expressions

February 24, 2020

1 Comment

Chevron and other oil and gas companies in western Kern County…

Governor Newsom Well Watch website for California drilling

Oil & Gas Well Permits Issued By Newsom Administration Rival Those Issued Under Gov. Jerry Brown

February 22, 2020

FracTracker Alliance and Consumer Watchdog worked together to…

destroyed home following pipeline explosion in San Bruno, CA

Pipelines Continue to Catch Fire and Explode

February 21, 2020

2 Comments

For the past decade, petroleum operators in the United States…

The Hidden Inefficiencies and Environmental Costs of Fracking in Ohio

January 13, 2020

3 Comments

Ohio continues to increase fracked gas production, facilitated…

Fracking in Pennsylvania: Not Worth It

January 7, 2020

4 Comments

Despite the ever-increasing heaps of violations and drilling…

Photo by Ted Auch, FracTracker Alliance

Fracking Threatens Ohio’s Captina Creek Watershed

December 20, 2019

FracTracker's Great Lakes Program Coordinator Ted Auch explores…

California is Frack Free, for the Moment

November 19, 2019

…

How State Regulations Hold Us back and What Other Countries are doing about Fracking

October 10, 2019

3 Comments

While it might be tempting to welcome an industry that often creates a temporary economic spike, the costs of mitigating the environmental damage from fracking far out-weighs the profit gained.