Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
RES to vary Den Brook condition?
Wind farm developer RES is consulting on a variation of a tight condition on amplitude modulation (AM) at the proposed Den Brook wind farm in Devon. Den Brook was the scene of a high profile battle between near-neighbour Mike Hulme and the developer. Hulme was concerned that amplitude modulation would cause disturbance, and the case went in and out of the High Court (Noise Bulletin June 2011 p1). The outcome was that RES won permission – but with a tight . . .
Wind turbine noise is targeted in Massachusetts; State may require reviews of impact before construction
Days after state environmental officials found unacceptable noise levels from wind turbines in Falmouth, they are considering new regulations that would require the state to review potential noise issues before wind turbines are built in Massachusetts. The state might also conduct sound studies in other communities, such as Fairhaven and Kingston, where residents, as in Falmouth, have complained about newly installed turbines, officials said. A panel of independent scientists and doctors, convened by the state to look at the effects . . .
Report: Turbines likely to harm species
DEER GROVE – A company’s plan for wind turbines in southeastern Whiteside County would likely harm endangered species, a state official says. The state Department of Natural Resources is particularly concerned about the effect on the species in two nature preserves in Lee County. Greg Wahl, who owns what he calls an undisturbed prairie near the proposed turbines in Whiteside County, has used the state report to make his case that Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power should place the turbines farther . . .
Mojave Desert: Military wants to limit wind development
With a PowerPoint presentation and a dot of red light, military officials dropped a bomb on California’s wind energy industry at a recent public meeting. Using a laser pointer, a Navy official outlined on a map a vast area where the military wants to limit commercial wind development. The pointer swept across the Mojave Desert, skirting around Las Vegas, and edging near San Bernardino County’s High Desert communities and touching the southern Sierra Nevada range. Within that outline, energy companies . . .
Crews in Harper County cleaning up after Saturday’s tornado
Five turbines were also destroyed at a nearby wind farm that’s still under construction.
Villagers out in force against wind farm
Villagers drummed up support – in the form of 200 people – against controversial plans to build wind farms. They turned up at a public meeting held by the Stop Litlington Wind Farm Action Group, in the village hall. The meeting was held to hear the views of residents in response to a planning application submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council for five turbines on farmland in the village. Philip Jones, of the action group, said: “I think we had . . .
Tiverton OKs giving energy group land-taking power
TIVERTON — The issue of eminent domain was brought to the forefront after a vote by the Tiverton Town Council last month. The council approved a resolution in support of state legislation that would give eminent domain powers to the East Bay Energy Consortium. Consisting of Tiverton, Bristol, Warren, Barrington, East Providence, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Middletown and Newport, R.I., the consortium’s goal is to develop a regional wind energy system that will produce electricity for the member towns. Studies have . . .
Another petition circulating to stop Derby Line Wind Project
DERBY LINE – An online petition is circulating geared to show the scale of opposition to the Derby Line Wind project. More than three hundred people have already signed the petition, according to the site change.org. The petition was created by “Citoyens de Stanstead,” and is called “Stop the Derby Line Wind Project.” Many Stanstead residents are in an uproar over the proposal to build two 420-foot plus turbines in Derby Line near the US-Canadian border. Opponents say the turbines . . .
Windfarms under fire; MoD refuses to back down over Buchan plans
Military chiefs are refusing to back down in their battle against wind turbines in Buchan — claiming they could pose a threat to national security. The Ministry of Defence has objected to 30 projects which it claims could cause havoc with radar equipment at RAF Buchan, south of Peterhead. These range from one-turbine schemes to a plan for 12 masts at Mormond Hill, near Strichen. It has also submitted a formal objection against the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, an . . .
Wind industry strategy seeks to undermine wildlife protections
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is carrying out an aggressive effort to undermine wildlife protections that it views as an obstacle to its expansion onto wildlands, according to an AWEA strategy document from late 2011. AWEA’s strategy outlines plans to facilitate the industrialization of public lands by allowing “industry to proactively set and guide the siting agenda” by co-opting environmental groups, government agencies, and a wildlife research institute, according to the document. • As of May, the wind industry . . .
