Wind Power News: California
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.
NIMBY, and proud of it
Since 2004, Shell WindEnergy has been quietly making its way around Bear River Ridge. Only recently, somewhat surprisingly, Shell’s plans for an elaborate Wind Turbine Project along the Ridge finally came to the attention of the citizens of Ferndale. In a recent editorial piece in the Times-Standard, two scholarly gentlemen from HSU’s Schatz Center lauded this project at length. They wrote in response to a My Word essay in which Ferndale resident Ann Barbata made the concise declaration: “I do . . .
Solar farms totaling 1,300 acres proposed for East County
Jacumba, a high desert town with a population of just 561 in the last census, now finds itself at “ground zero” for major energy projects. Already, adjacent and formerly protected federal wilderness areas have been approved by the Department of the Interior for massive wind turbines 40 stories tall. Now, BP Solar –part of the BP corporation made infamous by the Gulf Coast oil spill, wants to build a massive solar farm on the outskirts of Jacumba. So does Amonix, . . .
Standing room only at county’s ‘wind map’ meeting
The Kern County Planning and Community Development Department presented a draft of the proposed Wind Resource Area Boundary Map to a full house at the Jan. 11 meeting of the Tehachapi Municipal Advisory Council. All members of the council were present. The audience exceeded 100 people as Craig Murphy Advanced Planning/Community Division Chief began the presentation. Murphy began by giving some background information AB 32 was one of the primary driving forces behind a lot of the renewable energy development . . .
Tehachapi wind
I remember when windmills in Tehachapi were used to keep stock tanks filled in areas where there was no electricity — and, of course, seeing the picturesque relics of old wooden windmills here and there, marking the site of an old homestead. About the time that I moved away from Tehachapi in mid-1981, there was talk of wind development and there may have been some turbines put up. I recall the conversation around town — the big advantage seemed to . . .
Why environmentalists are opposed to industrial wind farms in Marin County
Next Meeting: Jan. 21st, 1:30-3:30, activities room at The Redwoods, 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Why Environmentalists are Opposed to Industrial Wind Farms in Marin County Speakers: Helen Kozoriz and Beverly Childs Macintosh A power point presentation about the West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates fight to prevent an industrial wind turbine farm. Note: The West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates are sponsoring an award winning documentary “WINDFALL” by Laura Israel as a public service for the community on Friday, Jan 20th at . . .
Legal ruling could force California to rethink CO2 plan
A legal ruling by a U.S. federal judge has left a big hole in California’s plan to cut emissions and could force the cash-strapped and politically-gridlocked state to consider new strategies if it is to meet its domestic goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions. On December 29, a federal court ruled that California’s plan to cut the carbon content of transport fuels by 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide violates the U.S. Constitution as it discriminates against out-of-state fuel sources. . . .
PUC secrecy extends beyond solar to rates and safety
There was public indignation when this column revealed late last year the secrecy maintained by the state Public Utilities Commission as it regulates the siting, building and design of several massive solar thermal electricity projects that will soon be a major part of California’s energy portfolio. Together with wind energy and geothermal projects, the only other developed types of constantly renewable large-scale energy, solar will soon produce about one-third of the state’s power. But because of PUC secrecy, no one . . .
A hard wind blows in favor of turbine approvals
The only time I ever see government get a move on is for two reasons: money or politics. Call me jaded, but I suspect those are the twin engines propelling the county’s full-speed-ahead rush to draw a new wind energy map. And, as usual, when those two forces combine, the public is left in the dust. On the money side, a key wind energy tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year. That action will sharply . . .
Don’t let supervisors gut planning group role
On Pearl Harbor Day, when most citizens were honoring democratic principles, San Diego County Supervisors Bill Horn and Ron Roberts were pushing Supervisors Cox, Jacob and Slater-Price for one more vote to silence the voices of backcountry constituents. Breathtaking was their advocacy of a developer-led scheme to eliminate community planning groups AND a cluster of laws and policies that protect San Diego County’s environment and the character of rural communities —- without public notice, review or input. This attack on . . .
Radio discussion with Laura Israel and Helen Kozoriz
Amanda Eichstaedt talks with Windfall filmmaker Laura Israel (New York) and Helen Kozoriz of West Marin/Sonoma Coastal Advocates, one of the sponsors (along with Environmental Action Committee of West Marin) of a January 20 screening of the film — West Marin Community Radio, KWMR, Thursday morning.
