The Long-Term Impact of Wind Power Generation on a Local Community: Economics Analysis of Subjective Well-Being Data in Chōshi City

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed the external effects of wind turbines, which are often considered detrimental to the promotion of wind power generation. Understanding these externalities is essential to reaching a consensus with residents who live near the site of a planned wind turbine. Our research objective was to determine the relationship between wind turbines and people’s well-being in areas where they have been installed for a long time. We hypothesized that wind turbines would have a negative impact on people’s well-being. We conducted a survey by postal mail in Chōshi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, to examine the external effects of wind turbines, adopting a subjective well-being index to measure respondents’ well-being. Regression analysis suggests that having a view of wind power turbines has a positive effect on the subjective well-being of local residents. Moreover, the results indicate that such well-being increases with increasing distance from the turbines. Except for scenic elements, we found that wind turbines are not always considered desirable by residents. Therefore, it is important to further clarify the external influence of wind turbines and other facilities in local communities.

Green Policymaking in Japanese Municipalities: An Empirical Study on External and Internal Contextual Factors

“…Obviously, there are various interpretations of green policymaking in local governments. Green policymaking in Japanese municipalities can focus on GPP [14] as presented in Section 2.1, but also on urban regeneration [16], renewable energy [17], emissions [18], public transport [19], and bicycle planning [20], to mention a few. Therefore, it is important to discuss local green policymaking as interpreted within the scope of this study.…”

Nature and Happiness Levels: New SWB Domains for Rivers, a Lake, and Forests

“…Studies on the relationship between nature and SWB have demonstrated that green spaces and waterfront areas positively correlate with SWB and physical and mental health [14][15][16][17]. However, the relationship of Japanese people with nature may be related to the smaller unexplained residuals and, thus, lower levels of happiness.…”