Wind Power News: Press releases
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.
Bird mortality cover-up in the UK
The British public is being misinformed regarding bird mortality at wind farms, denounce Save the Eagles International (STEI) and the World Council for Nature (WCFN). It is contrary to fact to pretend that these industrial structures are “carefully sited” so as to avoid risks to birds and bats. It is equally false to allege that grouse and other ground-nesting birds don’t mind laying their eggs under wind turbines, or that raptors avoid these dangerous areas. In a recent article, The . . .
Conservation groups challenge North Sky River wind project
For Immediate Release, April 13, 2012 Contacts: James Navarro, Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 772-0247; jnavarro@defenders.org Ileene Anderson, Center for Biological Diversity, (323) 490-0223; ianderson@biologicaldiversity.org Oliver Bernstein, Sierra Club, (512) 289-8618; oliver.bernstein@sierraclub.org Controversial Wind Project Threatens Endangered California Condors, Golden Eagles Conservation Groups Challenge North Sky River Wind Project SACRAMENTO, Calif.— A controversial wind-energy project threatening endangered California condors and golden eagles in California is the target of a federal lawsuit filed today by the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of . . .
Proposed federal rule change will lead to more dead eagles at wind energy projects
(Washington, D.C., April 12, 2012) American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the nation’s leading bird conservation organization, has charged that the eagle rule change proposed today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will result in more eagles being killed at wind energy projects. “ABC supports wind power when it is bird-smart, but this proposed rule change will lead to more dead eagles, more costly lawsuits, and more Americans who will wonder why the wind industry keeps getting a free pass . . .
VCE’s Deerfield appeal heads to federal court
Lead plaintiff says “We have to protect the Wilderness”. In response to the decision by the US Forest Service (USFS) to deny their appeal of the their Deerfield Wind Permit (see attached), Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE) has indicated that it will take their appeal of project permits to the next step of the process. “We believe the facts are on our side, and so we will continue our appeal to the federal court,” said Annette Smith, VCE’s Executive . . .
Deerfield wind project upheld
For immediate release April 10, 2012 Contact Jane Cliff Phone: 414-297-3664 MILWAUKEE (April 9, 2012) – Eastern Regional Forester Chuck Myers, acting as appeal deciding officer, today upheld Forest Supervisor Colleen Madrid’s January 3, 2012 decision to select an alternative to approve the construction of a 15-turbine wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, which will provide enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes annually. Myers’ decision is in response to four of seven administrative appeals . . .
First Wind’s Bowers Mountain wind project to be denied
Grass roots opposition defeats Maine’s largest wind energy developer. The Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) voted today not to allow First Wind Holdings, LLC of Boston to withdraw its application for the Bowers Mountain Wind Project [opening the way to a denial]. The project would have erected 27 forty-three story tall turbines on prominent ridgelines in Carroll and Kossuth, adjacent to the headwaters of the Downeast Lakes. This area has been a magnet for sporting tourism for more than a . . .
Steens Mountain threatened by massive wind development
Plans to build an industrial-scale wind facility on Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon’s high desert were challenged by the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) and Audubon Society of Portland today. The lawsuit seeks to block what the conservation groups claim is an illegal project by the Department of the Interior that would forever change an otherwise wild and beautiful landscape. In December, the Secretary of the Interior approved a plan allowing the developer to build up to 70 wind turbines . . .
Statement from Vestas Wind Systems A/S
On Friday, March 30, a Vestas V112-3.0 MW turbine caught fire at the Gross Eilstorf wind farm in Lower Saxony, Germany. The turbine was working normally before the fire started. There were no injuries. As of 15:00 CET, the fire is burning out under controlled conditions, as safe access to the turbine is impossible. Local firefighters and a fire inspector are on the scene, along with police and Vestas experts. The turbine has been disconnected from the grid. Three other . . .
Massachusetts state senate votes today to give governor unprecedented powers under comprehensive energy bill
Brimfield, MA, March 29, 2012 – This afternoon, the Massachusetts state senate intends to vote on a bill that gives the governor unprecedented control over the New England electricity market. It is S.2200, An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth. S.2200 is a far-reaching bill that empowers the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center – with almost all board members appointed by the governor and answerable to no one else – to enter the electricity and transmission markets by . . .
Vestas attempt to avoid recommended low-frequency noise measurement
In a submission to the government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, world-leading wind turbine manufacturer Vestas asked to drop the requirement for measuring emissions of low frequency noise (LFN), despite scientific studies indicating that they have adverse effects on the health of neighbours. This flies in the face of a new Danish policy, announced March 26th, aiming at improving the ethics of exporting companies, e.g. on human rights. Denmark’s Wind Turbine regulations recognise that LFN can be a health . . .
