Wind Power News: Missouri
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.
Show-Me State showing alternate energy promise
When it comes to renewable energy, Missouri usually isn’t seen as a major player especially when compared to neighboring Kansas. The Show-Me state produces wind energy but isn’t among the states ranked as having the best potential like Kansas. Missouri fares better when it comes to solar energy but is still viewed as being a step behind. Missouri utilities are even looking outside of the state to help meet a mandate to use more renewable energy. But if you’re planning . . .
Lost Creek Wind Farm: the cost of clean air
DEKALB, Mo. – DeKalb County and Wind Capital Group are at odds over the tax revenue the county will receive. Wind Capital’s first payment to DeKalb is due by the end of the year. Now, the two are working to settle on a cost for clean air. “This is the first year the wind towers have been on the county books,” said DeKalb County Assessor, Ruth Ross. However, Wind Capital Group and the county continue to debate over what is . . .
Wind Capital wants to pay its ‘fair share’ of taxes
Following harsh statements made by officials in DeKalb County, a St. Louis-based wind company has responded to allegations of avoiding paying taxes. Answering claims that DeKalb County’s Lost Creek wind farm was low-balling the county, Wind Capital Group has called the allegations false. “Wind Capital Group believes very strongly in paying its fair share of property taxes and has agreed to pay more in property taxes on the Lost Creek Project than has ever been paid on a wind energy . . .
DeKalb County and Wind Capital Group dispute tax rate
A Northwest Missouri wind farm is disputing taxes owed in DeKalb County. St. Louis-based Wind Capital Group says the higher tax rate goes against a 2009 agreement between the company and the county. DeKalb County says it doesn’t see it that way. Dozens of giant wind turbines spin along the countryside in DeKalb County. The windmills are part of Wind Capital Group’s Lost Creek Project. They generate green energy and money for the county’s schools, seniors, and emergency services. But . . .
Wind farm fights property tax
Additional funding for schools and emergency services lie in the balance of a legal dispute between a St. Louis-based wind company and DeKalb County. Touted as an innovation when it began, Lost Creek wind farm and its owners, Wind Capital Group, have entered into a legal battle with DeKalb County, wanting to pay about half of its assessed property taxes. The dispute began in August, when Lost Creek turned down an assessment made by county assessor Ruth Ross, giving each . . .
Commission recommends denial of zoning change
The Nevada Planning Commission voted 7-1, with Janet Wray casting the lone dissenting vote, to recommend denial of a request to rezone property at 1415 N. Osage from M-1, light industrial, to M-2, heavy industrial, that would accommodate a proposed facility for building prototype wind turbines on the site. Nevertheless, the commission also wants to look into options for changing the existing zoning regulations or special use permit rules in light of the specialized production activity that applicant Graham Gentry’s . . .
Wind turbines approved for most of city, but not The District
The council decided not to allow wind turbines downtown due to recommendations from merchants and board members of the district.
“Downtown is considered a National Historic District,” Carrie Gartner, executive director of the district board, said in an email. “The board believes the wind turbines would be incompatible with its historic designation,”
Solar energy more likely than wind at Callaway plant
Solar energy is more likely to be developed at the Callaway Energy Center than wind turbines, an Ameren Missouri official said Tuesday. Bill Barbieri, Ameren Missouri’s manager of renewable energy, said he and other officials intend to conduct more research on possible development of wind and solar power generation at the Callaway plant. As part of its push for renewable energy, Barbieri said Ameren Missouri is considering possible use of all of its power plants for development of renewable energy . . .
Solar, wind power generation eyed at Ameren plant
Generation of electricity by solar cells and possibly by wind turbines is under consideration for land surrounding the Ameren Missouri nuclear plant south of Fulton. For this reason, the Callaway Energy Center is the new name for the nuclear plant operated by Ameren Missouri south of Fulton. The plant had been known as the Callaway Nuclear Power Plant. Trina Muniz, an Ameren Missouri spokesperson, said Monday the new name is part of a general corporate policy of continuous reassessment of . . .
Transmission line: State agency to weigh plan
A Houston company proposing to build a 550-mile-long, high-voltage electric transmission line starting in Ford County and stretching to Missouri – and likely passing through Reno County – now has its case before the Kansas Corporation Commission. The KCC already has received testimony on Clean Line’s request to be declared a Kansas public utility in order to build its “direct current” line, which the company is calling Grain Belt Express. The commission expects to issue a decision by Dec. 22, . . .
