Evaluation of potential environmental impacts is part of most permit reviews for infrastructure projects, including wind energy. As such, permit reviews typically include things like projected fatality estimates, displacement and habitat fragmentation, and potential “take” of listed species. However, wind energy projects are unique in that they can offer considerable positive impacts to the environment. It is the reason many of us are in this industry. Aside from reduction of energy generated and associated emissions from non-renewable energy sources, wind energy development can result in habitat preservation, additional conservation measures, data collection and other factors that provide important benefits. Agencies often do not or cannot focus on this favorable trade-off. For example, The National Audubon Society updated their Birds and Climate Change Report in October 2019 that found 389 North American bird species at risk of extinction due to climate change and indicated the renewable energy is a critical part of the solution. Yet that kind of positive impact is not generally considered as part of impact assessments or mitigation measures. This panel will examine findings from this study and other recent research on the importance of renewable energy as a conservation measure. It will also discussion ways that these benefits can be considered in more balanced reviews of wind energy project impacts.