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.
Offshore wind farm farther away, closer to reality
Prospects for wind turbines churning out clean energy off the mid-Atlantic coast got brighter Thursday when federal officials unveiled safe areas where energy companies might build wind farms off Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. The U.S. Department of the Interior said it has completed environmental studies in these zones in the Atlantic Ocean, finding them clear of significant conflicts with fishing interests, shipping traffic, military training and marine life, including whales, dolphins and migratory birds. Virginia’s designated area encompasses . . .
Dominion Virginia Power wants wind power in the commonwealth
Clean energy may soon be pumped in to Virginia from 20 miles off-shore. Dominion Virginia Power is interested in building up to 400 wind turbines in Atlantic waters in what could be a powerful message for a slowly emerging domestic source of clean energy. “If everything aligns and it makes good sense and we have our regulators on board, yes, we would be moving forward on a wind farm,” Mary Doswell, Dominion’s senior vice president for alternative energy solutions, said . . .
Hearing speakers voice property rights concerns
Floyd — Floyd County’s proposed ordinance limiting development on ridge lines received a two-and-a-half hour airing of diverse opinions from 47 speakers who either supported proposed wind turbine electrical generators, opposed the giant windmill farms, voiced concern over intrusion of property rights, or urged more education and understanding on the issues before passing any new ordinances. The meeting was held Tuesday night in the Floyd County High School auditorium. “It’s very premature,” alternative energy advocate Billy Weitzenfeld said of the . . .
Feds allow wind development to move forward off Virginia coast
The federal government announced Thursday it’s moving forward with developing wind energy off Virginia’s coast. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is looking for industry interest in wind development off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. It’s the first step in the leasing process. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced his decision in a call with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). The news was cheered by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and environmentalists who have long wanted . . .
Wind farm concerns aired in Floyd County
More than 30 speakers debated Tuesday night whether wind farms belong in Floyd County. But after two hours, there was no clear winner or direction. The Floyd County Board of Supervisors will reconvene Feb. 14 to continue deliberating whether to keep industrial windmills out or permit them under tough regulations to protect residents and the environment. Supervisors have proposed prohibiting all equipment more than 40 feet tall on ridge tops except electricity, telecommunications and TV gear, which would appear to . . .
Floyd County still mulling over wind energy
FLOYD COUNTY; Va. — No final decision on the future of wind energy in Floyd County. More than 150 people attended a public meeting Tuesday night to express their opinions on the possibility of wind energy coming to Floyd County. Wayne Booth has collected roughly 700 signatures from his fellow Floyd County residents opposing wind turbines. “I feel like it’s going to destroy our view,” said Booth. Booth lives on a farm right below Wills Ridge, where several companies have . . .
Floyd County debates wind turbines
The auditorium of Floyd County High School was packed with people ready to voice their opinions on a height ordinance; barring 40 foot structures along the ridgeline, including wind turbines. We took some concerns and research results about wind turbines to board of supervisor Virgel Allen. One was, some say the wind turbines are not cost effective. “I have heard that but I do not know to be the truth. There is a lot of research that needs to be . . .
Public hearing on ridge line bill January 31 at FCHS
Floyd — Floyd County Supervisors, facing public concern and misunderstanding on the intent of an ordinance banning ridge line construction of structures higher than 40 feet above the ridge, Tuesday night began looking for ways to modify the ordinance even before a public hearing next week. At their first nighttime meeting under a new two-meetings a month schedule, supervisors heard from citizens opposed to construction of 490-feet high wind turbine generators while still questioning whether or not the proposed ordinance . . .
Code tweaked to address wind turbine construction
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Planning Commission discussed a few changes to town code relating to the construction of a temporary wind turbine tower to be used for academic research purposes at its meeting this week. The Shenandoah County School Board voted unanimously at its Jan. 12 meeting to approve the proposal and move to the next step of the planning process. The tower would be constructed in front of Central High and W.W. Robinson Elementary schools on the grassy area . . .
Wind energy data collection begins
EASTVILLE — Wind energy development is progressing in Northampton County with the installation of the first data-collecting unit last month. “The project is moving forward,” said Sally McNeilan of Fugro Atlantic, located in Norfolk, on Wednesday, saying the Lidar unit was installed in mid-December. She said the unit is smaller than the size of a card table and “can measure the wind at 50-200 meters above the ground.” “We need a full year of data collecting,” said McNeilan, saying over . . .
