Learnewable has released its first national ranking of US states based on public sentiment and permitting conditions for onshore wind energy. The analysis identifies regions where developers face smoother approval processes and where projects encounter stronger local opposition.
Drawing on data from more than 3,000 counties, Learnewable’s Wind Energy Sentiment & Permitting Risk Map combines community attitudes and regulatory indicators into a state-by-state index. The study distinguishes between states with supportive communities and clear permitting rules, and those where restrictive ordinances or opposition are more common.
According to the index, New Mexico, Texas, and Minnesota lead as the most favourable states for onshore wind development, followed by Alaska, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Illinois, Utah, and a joint ranking for Mississippi and Colorado.
The findings are based on Learnewable’s Site Scout system, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse public records, news sources, social media, and zoning policies. Insights were refined through feedback from more than 100 wind project developers.
