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.
Northwest wind generators oppose Bonneville plan
Owners of wind farms in the Pacific Northwest objected to a cost-sharing proposal suggested by the Bonneville Power Administration to settle last year’s dispute over the curtailment of wind generation, according to a letter sent on Monday to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Executives with Iberdrola Renewables, PacifiCorp, NextEra Energy and others called BPA’s idea a “clear circumvention of the FERC order to file an open access transmission tariff,” in the letter to Chu. In December, the Federal Energy Regulatory . . .
BPA proposes plan to pay wind developers to reduce power when rivers high
The Bonneville Power Administration today proposed paying wind energy developers for reducing output to help balance the electricity supply during high river flows. If BPA decides to proceed with the compensation proposal, it would seek to split the cost equally between customers including electrical cooperatives and public utilities like Idaho Falls Power, and wind developers. BPA is releasing its proposal for public review now so the agency can meet a March 6 deadline for filing the proposal with the Federal . . .
BPA offers to split costs when it pulls the plug on wind farms
The Bonneville Power Administration has proposed to cover half the cost of wind farms’ lost revenue when it shuts off their output because there is too much hydropower already being generated in the region. Renewables advocates said Tuesday that the approach is unacceptable. The cost-sharing proposal is the latest bid to end a dispute that began this spring, when the federal power marketing agency accommodated the massive spring runoff and resulting surge in power production by cutting off wind farms . . .
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 . . .
