Wind Power News: Virginia
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 test wind project could move forward in July
Virginia could clear another federal hurdle in July in its quest for an offshore lease for a wind power research project, according to state energy officials. The federally controlled lease site about 28 miles offshore from Virginia Beach would be used for two advanced-technology demonstration wind turbines. In a parallel process, Dominion Virginia Power has been selected for a $4 million federal grant to do initial engineering, design and permitting for the 12-megawatt wind-power test facility. But the state’s efforts . . .
Wind and the Whale
RICHMOND, Va. – This is a story about the wind and the whale. Virginia’s Offshore Wind Development Authority met in Richmond this week to talk about advancing wind energy production off the state’s coast. Justin Allegro, who manages the National Wildlife Federation’s Renewable Energy and Wildlife Program, says offshore wind development must include protections for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. “The challenge is, of course, that they do migrate right through the areas that have been identified in . . .
Citizens voice concerns over ridgetop ordinance
Carroll County supervisors heard from eight citizens in a public hearing April 15 on the proposed ordinance for construction of tall structures on certain ridgelines. Carroll supervisors have been discussing the topic for over a year after EDP Renewables/Horizon Wind Energy proposed a wind farm on Stoots Mountain early in 2012. The county previously tabled a proposed windmill ordinance that the board worried could hinder economic development in Carroll County. The new ordinance is more regulatory in nature, and would . . .
Wittman helps wind farms; Bill would cut through red tape
WASHINGTON – Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, has introduced a bill that may facilitate the creation of wind farms of Virginia’s coast. The bill was passed last year in the House of Representatives only to die in the Senate. “I strongly believe that our nation is past due in efficiently developing a smart, forward-thinking energy strategy and our own sources of energy,” Wittman said. “The government must make it easier to move forward on renewable energy projects, instead of putting up . . .
Middle School students learn about wind energy
HARRISONBURG — Thomas Harrison Middle School’s wind turbine is running. After a brief wait for an inspection on the bottom bolts, the brake was finally released. On a windy day like Wednesday you could really see the blades spinning. Kid Wind Challenge is coming up this weekend. Students will create wind turbine blades and compete to see which generates the most electricity. All that information comes directly to a laptop that tracks data as the blades spin. It keeps track . . .
Development director — Action needed in Bluefield
We are also concerned about communications between the city, and its neighbors. For example, the volunteer Team Blue members are advocating a plan that seeks to recruit wind energy companies into the city limits of Bluefield. They say they are not endorsing a wind turbine farm for Bluefield, but are instead seeking to recruit companies that service the wind industry into the city limits.
But neighboring Bluefield, Va., has passed an ordinance prohibiting the development of wind turbines in its municipal limits, and the ridge-line protection ordinance adopted by the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors in 2009 still prohibits the development of wind energy farms along the Virginia-side of East River Mountain. So it would appear that the two Bluefields may not be on the same page when it comes to wind energy. Both boards should sit down in a public forum and meet on this topic while also actively soliciting input from their citizens. It would be prudent for city officials not to forget the ugly wind turbine battle that ensued in Tazewell County in 2009 and 2010.
US poised to sell offshore wind leases
A year after designating large swaths of federal water south of Martha’s Vineyard as ideal for offshore wind development, the government is preparing to hold competitive lease sales for plots inside one of those wind energy areas this summer, outgoing Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said Tuesday. Lease sales inside the expanse covering roughly 257 square miles — and others inside another plot off the coast of Virginia — will be the first of their kind, Salazar told a . . .
Governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives
Gov. Bob McDonnell signed legislation Thursday repealing certain financial incentives for electric utility companies that use renewable energy sources. The change means utilities, such as Dominion Virginia Power, will no longer be eligible for a bonus for obtaining a certain portion of their energy from renewable sources, such as solar power. Reduced incentives remain for nuclear and offshore wind power. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli proposed repealing the “adders” after a study showed they were increasing consumers’ bills without having the . . .
Fort Lewis Elementary students put some energy into making wind turbines
These wind turbines didn’t generate the controversy usually found in Roanoke County surrounding wind energy. But that could be because they were made of wooden dowels, paper clips, rubber bands, glue, Styrofoam — and created by fourth-graders. Fort Lewis Elementary School students crafted small-scale, vertical-axis wind turbines Thursday as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math lesson to learn about natural resources and different types of energy, including wind power. The school sits in view of Poor Mountain, which has . . .
Ill winds blowing on Tazewell
The windmill scare may have blown over for the short term. For some reason I expect the situation to return. A recent bill introduced in the General Assembly by northern aggressor and State Senator Richard L. Saslaw is an example of legislation that gives power to the windmill boys and open Pandora’s box in other matters detrimental to the people. Dominion Power, whose officials claim to have had no hand or influence in Saslaw’s introduction of Senate Bill 1341, recently . . .
