Wind Power News: West 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.
Pinnacle Wind Farm complaints continue
KEYSER – Eight Mineral County residents, all with their homes a short distance from the 23-turbine Pinnacle Wind Farm, voiced their concerns about the noise emitted from the turbines during a Community Advisory Panel meeting on Monday evening. Brad Christopher, Edison Mission Group (EMG) site manager for the wind farm, said the noise issue was first reported in November and EMG is working on a solution for “noise reduction.” He explained about a part, designed by Mitsubishi, manufacturer of the . . .
Politician-driven initiatives being done at our expense
At last we have at least two concerned, thinking, intelligent adults who use experience and common sense to address current issues. The excellent letters were submitted by Dorothy Biggs of Westernport (“Allegany and Garrett counties sitting atop a green minefield,” Jan. 25 Times-News) and by Chris Hagen of Edgewater (“Politicians attacking the rich to prey upon people’s envy,” Jan. 25). I too believe politicians are jeopardizing water supplies wherever fracking is allowed. Common sense says man, regardless of the studies . . .
Green Mountain sounds off on noisy wind turbines
KEYSER, W.Va. — A majority of those in attendance at the Community Advisory Panel meeting on Monday night agreed — there is an issue with noise emitting from the wind turbines at the Pinnacle Wind Farm on Green Mountain. Green Mountain residents described a variety of noises from a hammer, to a whoosh, to a low-pitched, consistent vibration. “I don’t like it better anymore than you do,” said Brad Christopher, Edison Mission Energy project manager. “I’ve stayed up there; I know what . . .
Noise from wind turbines ruins people’s lives
I have lived in the Cross area of Mineral County for my entire life and have done so because of the peace and quiet of the area. However, over the past months, things have changed, and the reason is the windmills on the mountain across from my home. The windmills cause an extremely loud disturbance to the point of lying down at night to have a good nights sleep is impossible. I recently attended a Mineral County Commission meeting, hoping . . .
Obama admin sweats legal response as turbines kill birds
MOUNT STORM, W.Va. — Turn the final bend on Route 42 as it snakes up Mount Storm and a towering turbine appears, its blades swooshing in the winter gusts. Dozens more of these giants crown this remote mountain ridge 150 miles west of Washington, D.C. Dominion and Shell WindEnergy’s NedPower Mount Storm facility — 132 turbines in all — generates up to 264 megawatts, enough to power around 66,000 homes. But there’s a problem: The whirring blades kill birds. A . . .
Edison looking at muffler system for Pinnacle Wind Farm
KEYSER — Edison Mission Group (EMG), a subsidiary of Edison International, has announced commissioning of the Pinnacle Wind Farm at NewPage located on Green Mountain, near the Maryland-West Virginia border. The 23-turbine wind farm has a maximum generating capacity of 55 megawatts (MW), enough electricity to meet the average needs of about 14,000 homes. In announcing that the wind farm has been formally commissioned, Edison officials noted that the next meeting of the Community Advisory Panel will be 6 p.m. . . .
Mineral County leaders approve signing wind farm decommissioning agreement
KEYSER, W.Va. — The Mineral County commissioners on Tuesday approved the signing of the decommissioning fund and escrow agreement for Pinnacle Wind Farm LLC. The copy of the original request was sent to the law firm Steptoe and Johnson, according to Mike Bland, county coordinator. “The only changes that were made in the agreement basically transfer the rights to the wind as the assets to the agreement to KeyBank National Association. It doesn’t change our rights to assets and how . . .
Mineral leaders again examine wind turbine decommissioning
KEYSER, W.Va. — The Mineral County commissioners will yet again discuss the decommissioning fund and escrow agreement consent for Pinnacle Wind Farm at their meeting today. A company in the process of refinancing will be signing any rights it has to assets in the decommissioning fund from Pinnacle Wind Farm LLC over to the bank financing project, according to Mike Bland, county coordinator. “That doesn’t change how the decommission fund works for us,” said Bland. “Any rights they had to that money . . .
Making sense of eagles vs. turbines
I have a soft spot for birds of prey, particularly eagles. So earlier this week, when I read that officials of a wind power company had asked for a permit that would allow the company’s wind turbines to kill a given number of golden eagles each year, I became concerned. Bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. It struck me as odd that representatives of a “green” industry would ask permission . . .
Wind power: Is it worth it?
The heavily funded and admittedly effective US industrial wind lobby portrays its product as descending from old-world windmills. Close your eyes and you’ll surely imagine these magnificent machines gently turning in the breeze . each kilowatt arriving at your reading lamp courtesy of a rosy-cheeked Hummel child. Existing solely to save the planet by generating clean, affordable and environmentally friendly electricity, you can be sure that any addition to the plant owner’s bank account is purely accidental. Hogwash! In reality, . . .
