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.
Wind turbines whip up ruckus
Before anyone anxious to go green rushes out to buy a wind turbine, neighbors who live near Carson City’s only two turbines say there is more to the machines than meets the eye. “There is a big noise factor. I hear it all the time. It’s a whine, like a siren, and sometimes it really rattles. This neighborhood has turned into the Hatfields and McCoys,” said Bob Grosulak, who lives on North View Drive near a turbine owned by Tim . . .
BLM releases assessment of proposed wind farm
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management Ely District says it has released a revised preliminary environmental assessment for the Spring Valley wind project. The BLM district says it also has released for public review and comment a draft finding that the project will have no significant impact. The comment period will end on Aug. 18. Comments can be submitted to the BLM Ely district office by mail or e-mail. Spring Valley Wind, LLC is proposing a 150-megawatt wind generation farm . . .
Wind energy ordinance powers forward
Wind power regulation in Douglas County has found a second wind, so to speak. On Tuesday, Douglas County Planning Commissioners voted 5-1, with Lawrence Howell absent and JoEtta Brown voting nay, to approve a zoning text amendment that eases restrictions on erecting wind turbines in residential areas. “Over the past 2 1?2 years, approximately five wind energy conversion systems have been approved,” Associate Planner Dirk Goering wrote in his staff report. “Approximately a dozen serious applicants have been turned away . . .
Wind energy ordinance powers forward
Wind power regulation in Douglas County has found a second wind, so to speak. On Tuesday, Douglas County Planning Commissioners voted 5-1, with Lawrence Howell absent and JoEtta Brown voting nay, to approve a zoning text amendment that eases restrictions on erecting wind turbines in residential areas. “Over the past 2 1?2 years, approximately five wind energy conversion systems have been approved,” Associate Planner Dirk Goering wrote in his staff report. “Approximately a dozen serious applicants have been turned away . . .
Throwing money to the wind
From the Associated Press: “Two 1.5 kilowatt wind turbines have been installed atop the 17-floor Reno City Hall as part of the city’s push to promote renewable energy.” How trendy. From the Associated Press: “In all, Reno officials plan to install nine turbines throughout the city to test their performances in different environments. Four others, in a city park and sewer plant, have already been erected, and two more will go on a parking garage.” How modern. From the Associated . . .
Henderson panel rejects windmill; Councilman proposes building turbine away from residential area
Henderson City Council members have blown down plans to erect a four-story windmill in the backyard of a Green Valley home, but their decision could lead to the establishment of a wind farm elsewhere in the city. Attorney and entrepreneur Kermitt Waters first proposed the wind turbine in October as a way to lower his electricity bill and demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy on a residential scale. His neighbors near Green Valley Parkway and the Las Vegas Beltway railed . . .
Neighbors making last ditch effort to stop wind turbine from going up
Henderson city leaders will decide next week whether wind turbines can be built in people’s backyards. One man wants to generate power by building a 45 foot wind turbine in his backyard near Pebble and Green Valley Parkway. Neighbors call it too big, too ugly and too dangerous. Tuesday, they delivered a petition with 250 signatures to Henderson’s mayor. “It doesn’t belong in a neighborhood. It just doesn’t belong. I would welcome him to bring solar panels or anything else . . .
Neighbors rally against wind turbine
One community is united as they fight to block what a neighbor wants to build in his backyard. It’s a battle that has been going on for several months. One man wants a wind turbine, his neighbors saying, not in our neighborhood. Now other surrounding communities are joining the fight. A beautiful Spring day with kids playing and balloons is more than meets the eye of any passerby. “It’s “Not a Big Fan” party. We are not happy about our . . .
Recommendations made on curbing effects of wind farms
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today delivered to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recommendations on minimizing wind farms’ impacts on wildlife and its habitat. The recommendations were developed over two years by a 22-member Wind Turbine Guidelines Federal Advisory Committee. The committee’s report includes guidance on policy issues and science-based technical advice on how best to assess and prevent adverse impacts to wildlife and their habitats while developing wind farms. Among the recommendations is the development of a . . .
‘Jobs’ bill is mostly for show
The $17.6 billion so-called “jobs” bill signed by President Barack Obama in a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday will have only a tiny impact on America’s 9.7 percent unemployment rate, economists admit. And that’s assuming it’s not taken advantage of by those with a talent for “gaming the system.” The measure exempts businesses from paying the 6.2 percent payroll tax on new employees who have been out of work for at least 60 days. Firms will get an additional $1,000 credit . . .
