Wind Power News: Florida
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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.
Area wind is strong enough for turbines, study claims
A new study projects average wind speeds on Hutchinson Island would be strong enough for Florida Power & Light Co.’s wind turbine plan to work, the company announced Tuesday.
The study was done by WindLogics Inc., a company owned by FPL Energy, a sister company to FPL. The findings project the average wind speed would be 13.8 mph, enough to generate 13.8 megawatts of power or enough electricity for about 3,600 people, according to a company …
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Wind turbines not economically viable
You would think solar power would be the prime green energy alternative in the Sunshine State. However, perhaps because of the enormous tax subsidies for wind projects, Florida Power & Light is trying to persuade the public to bet on wind. But FPL’s claims of the turbines powering 3,600 homes simply do not add up.
FPL plans to use the Siemens SWT-2.3-93 wind turbines. Using FPL’s generous “estimate” of Florida “offshore” winds of 14.5 mph and …
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Common sense and turtles
The city of Fort Pierce has issued an edict (April 7 City Commission meeting) requiring all residents of condominiums on the beach to pull down shades, turn off lamps and batten down the lights to aid sea turtles in their search for nesting sites and ensuring hatchlings make their destination in the right direction — east.
The lights confuse the turtles and cause the hatchlings to move toward land lights rather than toward the ocean. If …
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End talk of wind turbines
We know from the data given by various wind turbine manufacturers that 15 mph winds are the lowest threshold for the turbines to be marginally effective.
The Southeast Regional Climate Center at the University of North Carolina posts the average wind speed for selected cities in the Southeast regardless of wind direction and from Vero to Palm Beach there isn’t a single month that averages more 11 mph (www.sercc.com/climateinfo/historical/avgwind.html).
The U.S. Department of Energy states Florida doesn’t …
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Rates may soar if green electric bills are passed
As Floridians struggle to pay the soaring cost of gasoline and home insurance, energy legislation that could cause a significant increase in Florida’s electricity rates is breezing through the Legislature with little scrutiny.
House and Senate energy bills backed by Gov. Charlie Crist are packed with incentives — grants, rebates and tax credits — to promote the use and development of renewable energy.
Both bills, however, call for state regulators to require electric utilities to produce a …
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Wind turbine project waste of money
The headline was: FPL poll: 80 percent support wind turbines.
Wind, solar, wood chips, cow chips and corn (biofuel) might be good supplements, but they will not solve our energy problems. It is now being reported that generating fuel from food sources (corn, for example) is causing “global hunger.”
Back to wind turbines. Local topography can enhance or restrict wind flow. Downslope winds off mountain ranges represent ideal locations as do narrow mountain passes and river canyons. …
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Survey supports turbines, FPL says
Two weeks after scaling back a plan to put wind turbines on Hutchinson Island, Florida Power & Light Co. officials released a survey Wednesday attesting to what they say is broad support across St. Lucie County for the more modest proposal.
But wind turbine opponents questioned the survey results, with some claiming that the timing of their release was a sign that public opinion might be turning against the power company’s $45 million plan to build …
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St. Lucie County wants to share objections to location that was formerly proposed for turbines
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Although Blind Creek Park is no longer under consideration for wind turbines, County Commissioners wanted to make sure their objections to the site were still sent on to state officials.
Commission Chair Joe Smith sent a letter Monday to the state Acquisition and Restoration Council, which was set next month to consider a request for an easement at Blind Creek Park to allow for wind turbines. The park is state-owned land leased …
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Proposal for turbines near Walton Rocks draws concern
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — In the future, going to catch a few waves or taking the dog for a walk at Walton Rocks beach might involve driving past a wind turbine first.
Although public lands are no longer being considered for Florida Power & Light Co.’s wind turbines proposal, three of the remaining six machines would be near public beach access at Walton Rocks. All six are proposed for FPL property near the St. Lucie Nuclear …
Change is in the wind
First there were nine; now there may be only six wind turbines on Hutchinson Island.
Florida Power & Light Co. withdrew its proposal Tuesday to site three wind turbines on publicly owned conservation land at Blind Creek Beach, in the face of likely defeat. A majority of St. Lucie County commissioners made it pretty plain which way the wind was blowing.
So the utility retreated to its own land near the nuclear power plant and settled for …
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