Wind Power News: Nevada
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.
Virginia Range windfarm canceled
A proposed windfarm in the Virginia Range between McClellan Peak and Geiger Grade has been canceled, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The New Comstock Wind Energy Project sought a right-of-way application to build and operate a wind energy facility. Because the project has been canceled, an environmental impact statement required for the project also has been canceled. Great Basin Wind chose the Virginia Range for its $200 million to $400 million project for its reliable wind, proximity to . . .
New Comstock wind energy project cancelled
The Bureau of Land Management Carson City District, Sierra Front Field Office, in cooperation with Great Basin Wind LLC, has cancelled the proposed New Comstock Wind Energy Project. GBW submitted a Type III right-of-way application to construct and operate a wind energy facility north of Carson City and west of Virginia City, Nevada. On November 26, 2008, the BLM published in the Federal Register the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the New Comstock Wind Energy . . .
Regulators question NV Energy plan to export renewable power to California
CARSON CITY — NV Energy is studying shipping solar and geothermal power to California. But regulators and consumer advocates are questioning the mammoth project. “It’s a risk to your shareholders,” Public Utilities Commissioner Rebecca Wagner said during a PUC workshop Thursday. “You’re flying without a net.” Documents filed by the company indicate it has spent $150,000 on studying the project so far. Dan Jacobsen of the state Consumer Affairs Division says there.s worry that if the project fails the Nevada . . .
Ordinance proposal would regulate wind energy systems
A draft ordinance to establishing regulations for alternative energy systems was proposed at the Jan. 19 Lyon County Commission meeting and will now be considered at a future public hearing for possible final action. Building Department Director Nick Malarchik said the draft was a result of inquiries to the county about installing wind energy systems. He said state law doesn’t allow a governing body to prohibit or place unreasonable restrictions on construction of alternative energy systems, but statues do allow . . .
USFS studies proposed Nevada wind farm harm to eagles
Midway through a two-year study about the potential impacts of a proposed wind farm on golden eagles in northern Nevada, wildlife biologists say they’ve identified nearly a dozen nesting sites in the area of the $200 million project in the mountains 20 miles northeast of Sparks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is studying the hunting patterns of the protected birds to help determine whether to allow plans to proceed for the 44-turbine wind farm atop the Pah Rah Range . . .
New ordinance bans windmills on most lots
Most Elko County residents won’t need to worry about their neighbor installing a loud, unsightly wind turbine next door, thanks to a new ordinance that broadly interprets a state law regulating the alternative energy devices. The battle between green-energy advocates and their opponents has been going on at the state level for the past few years. In 2009, a Democrat-sponsored bill greatly limited the factors local governments could take into account in crafting regulations for solar and wind generators. Windmill . . .
Feds studying Golden Eagle hunting patterns near proposed wind farm north of Sparks
Another year of studying the hunting patterns of golden eagles will help determine whether the federal government will allow plans to proceed for a 44-turbine wind farm in the mountains 20 miles northeast of Sparks. With another season, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will have two years of data on the soaring and hunting patterns of golden eagles near the proposed Virginia Peak project, said Amedee Bricky, who is a migratory bird biologist for the service in Sacramento. “The . . .
Wilson Creek Wind project takes a look at other locations
Wilson Creek Power Partners is backing away from their seemingly single-minded determination to place wind power electricity generating towers in the Mt. Wilson region, northeast of Pioche. At a special meeting of County Commissioners Sept. 28, an email from Gloria Tibbetts, Planning and Environmental Coordinator with the BLM in Ely, was read. According to the email, the Reno-based Wilson Creek Power Partners, and Champlin Group, the main financial backers for the project, are now willing to look for alternative sites . . .
Owners want payoff to stop turbine project
ELKO — An Elko couple whose plan to install a wind turbine on their property along Sundance Drive is offering disgruntled neighbors the chance to pay them not to put up the tower. “Neighbors can pay for the wind rights,” Travis Gerber, attorney for Scott and Sheri Baker, said at the Elko County Commissioners meeting, after commissioners voted to ask the Elko County Planning Commission to look again at the wind ordinance. “The Bakers have to eat $6,000” in a . . .
BPA reworking process for planning transmission lines
Renewable energy developments in the Northwest may soon benefit from more flexibility in the transmission planning process. The past several years have been marked by an increase of wind power developments, partially because of laws requiring utilities to add renewable energy to their portfolios. The Bonneville Power Administration, which controls three-quarters of the Northwest’s high-voltage transmission lines, has been working to figure out how to prepare for the new wind power. But not all of the projects that generated transmission . . .
