Wind Power News: Kansas
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.
Planning group eyes wind farm
In preparation for next week’s public hearing concerning a commercial wind farm developer’s request for a conditional-use permit in the county, the Ellis County Joint Planning Commission had a work session Wednesday at the Schenk Building at Ellis County Fairgrounds. “The development plan was over 500 pages long, and so there were a lot of documents to review,” said Ellis County Joint Planning Commission Chairman Kendall Krug. “We don’t want the public hearing to have to go any longer than . . .
Renewable energy company still seeking wind farm here
Marshall County Economic Development director George McCune told Marshall County commissioners on Monday that RPMAccess, a wind energy company in West Des Moines, Iowa, is continuing its plans to build a wind farm between Beattie and Summerfield. “RPM is actively trying to find a market for the energy that the wind farm will produce,” McCune said. The company seeks to get the building started on the project this year, McCune said, because federal subsidies for wind farms are expected to . . .
Graham Co. approves wind farm
HILL CITY — The reality of a wind farm in Graham County took a step closer last week when Graham County commissioners approved a conditional-use permit for Ringneck Prairie Wind Farm. The 70-megawatt farm, to be located 6 miles south of Hill City, is on pace to be fully commissioned by the end of 2014, according to Kirk Schweitzer, director of Graham County Economic Development. There is still power to sell and details to work out, but Tuesday’s approval of . . .
Public comment period continues on native fowl
Interested parties have a little more time to tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if and how the lesser prairie-chicken should be listed as a threatened species as a new comment period opens today. “The public comment period will be reopened for 45 days to allow an opportunity for the public, the scientific community and other interested parties to provide input on the original listing proposal in light of a newly-released range-wide conservation plan for the species,” said Lesli . . .
Lightning damages wind turbine
Another storm has caused problems for the wind turbine. “We noticed a couple of error faults after the storm on April 22 and had begun the process of repairing the affected components last week,” said Kurt Bookout, public utilities director. Friday of last week they noticed a black spot on one of the blade tips. “Even though it looks very prominent in these photos, it’s not very visible from a distance,” Bookout said. The photos were taken from a tall . . .
Hearing set on changes in wind development process
Pratt, Kan. — A change in the process for British Petroleum, or any energy company to apply to develop a wind energy project in Pratt County, is ready for a public review. A public comment time is set for Monday, May 20 and the public is invited to attend and share opinions on the change in process. After the May meeting, if the new process is approved it will go to the County Commissioners for a vote for approval. If . . .
Board agrees to rewrite wind development ordinance
Pratt, Kan. — The Pratt County Planning and Zoning Board approved a change to the Pratt County Zoning Ordinance requested and partially at least rewritten by British Petroleum (BP). BP had originally asked the board to consider allowing them to make various studies at a different rate than all at once as required by the adopted ordinance. Board member Mark Fincham, who supposedly has a lease with BP, disqualified himself from the discussion and action to be taken as he . . .
Power of farmers put to test
The first high voltage electric transmission line to dissect their crop and pasture land arrived in 1967, when Sunflower Electric paid Edwards County farmer Anthony J. Brake $1,413 for the privilege. The second line – taller and with higher voltage – went up just two years ago, running parallel a few hundred feet from the first. This time ITC Great Plains used eminent domain when many in the area, including Brake’s daughter and grandson, couldn’t reach agreement with the company . . .
Future of local wind development uncertain
Pratt, Kan. — The announcement that BP plans to sell off its wind energy assets and various wind projects has raised many questions about the future of a proposed wind farm in Pratt County. Negotiations for the wind farm recently came to a stop when BP withdrew its Pratt County wind farm application. They now want the County Planning Board to address an issue in the county Commercial Wind Energy Criteria. But now that BP is selling its wind energy . . .
Kansas ranchers turn to conservation easements to prevent future development
KINGMAN COUNTY — On boyhood campouts, the property nourished Bill Johnson’s body. Fish for breakfast were caught in a crystal-clear stream. Sweet-tasting spring water gushed from the ground. For decades since, the 240 acres has nourished Johnson’s soul. “I can have a bad week at work, then go out there and all of a sudden I’ve been rejuvenated,” Johnson said of the land his father bought before he was born. “I can’t remember when that place hasn’t been deep in . . .
