Wind Power News: Arizona
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.
Zoning panel backs energy towers
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Planning and zoning commissioners here have recommended approval of a Maryland company’s request to build two large towers on the southeast corner of the city to turn wind into electricity. By a 5-1 vote Tuesday, the San Luis Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of Clean Wind Energy’s request to rezone 1,760 acres for heavy industrial use, allowing for “downdraft towers” that the company’s CEO previously said would reach about 3,000 feet in height. The rezoning . . .
Rezoning for energy towers on San Luis agenda
A Maryland company will seek initial approval Tuesday of its proposal to build two large towers on the southeast corner of San Luis, Ariz., to turn wind into electricity. The San Luis Planning and Zoning Commission will consider Clean Wind Energy’s request to rezone 1,760 acres for heavy industrial use, allowing for “downdraft towers” that the company’s CEO previously said would reach about 3,000 feet in height. Any commission vote on the rezoning request serves as a recommendation only to . . .
Arizona’s solar energy plans vex military; Solar-tower, wind-turbine projects stir safety concerns
A solar tower nearly twice the height of the Empire State building. Hundreds of spinning 200-foot-tall wind turbines. A 500-mile high-voltage power line from central New Mexico to southern Arizona. Those are among the projects the renewable-energy industry sees in Arizona’s future. But for the U.S. military, that vision translates into fears of unusable airspace, equipment failures and plane-crash risks. Across the country, the burgeoning green-energy industry has faced military concerns about threats to the safety of its pilots and . . .
Wind energy guidelines voluntary, not mandatory
This is a response to Energy Secretary Salazar’s article in the March 28 Williams News edition (New voluntary guidelines, to protect wildlife from dangers of wind energy). If Mr. Salazar was really serious about this problem, he would have addressed it as mandatory, not voluntary. This only says to the public that we are semi-concerned. Wind developers can use these guidelines if they want to. It is not a requirement. So the slaughter of eagles, hawks, raptors and thousands of . . .
Panel picks legal fight with ACC over energy rules
PHOENIX — A Senate panel approved renewable energy legislation Wednesday that its sponsor conceded is designed to provoke a new legal fight with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Glendale, agreed to scrap her original proposal which would have required the utility panel to get the approval of lawmakers and the governor for any change in rules. An attorney for the Legislature said such a move is unconstitutional. Her new version of HB 2789 simply says that utilities cannot . . .
House OKs veto power over Corporation commission
On a 31-27 margin the House voted Monday to give lawmakers the power to veto rules of the Arizona Corporation Commission. HB 2789 is aimed at decisions by the commission to require utilities to obtain 15 percent of their power from renewable sources like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025. Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Glendale, said the energy policy of the state should be set by the Legislature. The vote comes despite legal opinions issued by attorneys for both the Legislature . . .
Feds set aside 40,000 acres for possible wind- and solar-power projects
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management on Friday set aside 40,000 acres of public land in Mohave and La Paz counties for the next two years while they are studied as possible sites for wind- and solar-powered projects. The land – 38,000 acres in Mohave County and 2,000 acres in La Paz County – will be held out from mining and other claims while studies continue on British Petroleum’s proposed wind farm in the White Hills area of Mohave . . .
Input wanted on renewable energy plan
WASHINGTON —Public input is being sought on a plan to locate solar and wind energy developments on property in Cochise County. The Bureau of Land Management is inviting comment on a draft document that is part of President Obama’s initiative to spur renewable energy development on “previously disturbed” public lands. “We have two parcels identified as potential sites for future renewable energy in Cochise County,” said Tom Dabbs, BLM Gila District Manager. One is a 43-acre site at the Tombstone . . .
Feds ID land in Arizona for renewable energy projects
WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management has recommended 237,100 acres of public land in Arizona are suitable for renewable energy development, part of an effort to speed up the process for clean-energy companies looking to set up shop in the state. The agency Friday released a draft environmental impact statement for its Restoration Design Energy Project, recommending a middle course among six alternatives that ranged in size from 43,700 acres to 321,500 acres. “Arizona has great potential to build . . .
Bill gives legislators veto over ACC decisions
PHOENIX – Ignoring a threatened lawsuit, a House panel voted Tuesday to give lawmakers the power to approve – or veto – policies of the Arizona Corporation Commission. HB 2789 is designed to overturn a ruling by the state Court of Appeals that the five-member panel has exclusive authority to require utilities to produce some of their power from renewable sources. It also would throw into question a separate commission ruling forcing utilities to conserve energy. The 6-3 party-line vote . . .
