Wind Power News: Indiana
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.
Tippecanoe County wind energy projects stall
Two wind energy projects planned for Tippecanoe County are facing stiff headwinds that could block further development. Lack of funding has put on hold a 100-megawatt energy park proposed for farmland owned by Purdue University and nearby privately owned property. And the status of a plan to build a 133-turbine park in an area southwest in the county is in the air, although the reasons are less than clear. Matthew DaPrato, a wind energy analyst with IHS Emerging Energy Research, . . .
Enxco drops Boone County wind farm plans
French-owned energy company enXco has dropped plans to build a wind farm in western Boone County. “Regulatory uncertainty” over the fate of the federal renewable energy tax credit, which subsidizes wind farm development, played a part in enXco’s decision to drop the project, a company spokeswoman said. The pullout is a disappointment to some landowners who had hoped to rent out their land for about 130 wind farm turbines at a reported $14,000 per turbine site. But the move will . . .
Wind farm project at Purdue hits wall
The wind farm set to go up on Purdue’s campus is stalled. The company, Performance Services, is halting the project while it looks for new sources of revenue. Mitchell Martin is an assistant dean in Purdue’s College of Agriculture. He says the timeline is unknown, but the project has not and will not affect the work the university is doing on the site. The project was expected to cost around $200-million. The plan is to put up about 60 wind . . .
Eastern agrees to scrap turbine
Greentown — Eastern Howard School Corp. officially is scrapping a wind turbine project after receiving a certified petition against it, superintendent Tracy Caddell said Thursday. Caddell said the school board might still need to take a vote on the issue. The superintendent said he plans to discuss the next steps to take with the school board’s attorney. Caddell said he will take care of any necessary formalities as soon as possible. “I want to assure the public that we are . . .
Commercial grade wind turbine targets St. Joseph County
About a dozen wind turbines have already been built in St. Joseph County, but in terms of size—all will pale in comparison to the ‘next one.’ A proposal has been filed with the St. Joseph County Board of Zoning Appeals to build the county’s first commercial grade wind turbine. The 50 kilowatt unit would stand between 120 and 140 feet high. If you put the rotor on a football field the blades would measure 21 yards from tip to tip. . . .
Delaware County officials cited millions in debt from the failed streetlight maker
MUNCIE — Although German businessman Oliver Viehweider received $1.5 million in Delaware County funds for a wind-and-solar-powered streetlight project that never got off the ground, officials acknowledged Thursday they will be lucky to get an agreed-to $300,000 from him. That’s because Viehweider has liabilities of more than $1.4 million euros — worth up to a third more in U.S. dollars — and few assets, members of the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission were told Thursday morning. And while the county also . . .
Whitley Co. Plan Commission gets wind of residents concerns on wind turbines
Instead of hearing from the Whitley County Plan Commission about the wind turbines, the commission had to listen to the public’s feedback. “I don’t want them real close to me, that’s the whole reason why I’m here tonight,” said P.D. Rhoads. Rhoads is against having the turbines, but says everyone has their own point of view on the matter, but some people just didn’t want to hear from the other side. One of the speakers who wanted Whitley County to . . .
Still no final recommendation on proposed wind farm ordinance
A public hearing Wednesday night allowed Whitley County residents to voice their opinions on what changes should be made to a proposed wind farm ordinance. It was cheers and jeers Wednesday night as nearly 40 people shared opinions about a proposed zoning ordinance for wind farms in Whitley County. A public hearing was held in the county’s 4-H Center. The zoning ordinance has been in the works the past two years, and this is the sixth draft of the ordinance. . . .
Delaware County regroups after green factories fizzle
A central Indiana county is pulling back its financial support for a pair of green-energy companies who so far haven’t delivered on plans for factories with hundreds of workers. The Delaware County commissioners on Monday approved withdrawing $5 million of property-tax support for Italian company Brevini Wind, which in 2009 announced plans for a 455-worker factory outside Muncie that would make wind-turbine gearboxes. Brevini now has about 70 workers in Yorktown and will still receive $1.7 million in tax-increment financing . . .
Howard County schools scrap wind turbine plan
Howard County School officials say they will lose out on nearly $3 million after parents petitioned against building a wind turbine in the area. About 250 residents presented the Eastern Howard School Corporation school board with a petition this week opposing installation of the turbine, which school board members say would have brought in more than $6 million for the school district in the next 25 years. Residents cited health and safety concerns, and many disapproved of the $3.5 million . . .
