Wind Power News: Blogs
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.
Laws not enforced as wind industry kills more birds and bats
The Associated Press published a thorough article examining the number of eagles and other protected birds being killed by wind energy projects — many built on remote wildlands — and highlighting the Department of Interior’s unwillingness to hold the wind industry accountable to laws meant to protect wildlife. With over 573,000 birds killed by wind turbines each year, according to the Wildlife Society Bulletin, as well as a significant number of bats, the Department of Interior can only point to . . .
Congressman Bill Owens joins Russell, Blankenbush and Ritchie in opposing Article 10 industrial wind siting in the Golden Crescent and Thousand Islands regions
Yesterday a letter from Congressman William Owens was posted on the New York State Public Service Commission website as a comment to British Petroleum’s intent to develop a massive industrial wind turbine sacrifice zone in the Town of Cape Vincent, NY. (I call it a “sacrifice zone” because the only way British Petroleum can get it done under Article 10 is to violate our home rule land use laws. We make the sacrifice.) In his comment letter, Congressman Owens objected . . .
Fiscal fibbing and inciting Falmouth voters
Who’s telling the truth and who’s crying “Fire”? The two groups (‘Healers’ and ‘Friends’) are in final throws of a controversial campaign over question 2. Why the alleged $25 million cost from the ‘Friends”? That’s a far cry from $14 million. The ‘Friends’ likely derive this figure from the projected revenue gain, that could otherwise be lost, if turbines were to operate without restrictions for the next 18 years. Projecting a financial outcome is certainly necessary. But $25 million? I . . .
Obama administration: Wind industry allowed to kill condors
Update: I have heard that the authorization to allow Terra-Gen to kill California condors may not be under an “incidental take permit,” but some other allowance under the Endangered Species Act. Either way, the green light to kill California condors is a significant step in how we protect and recover this endangered species. When more details are available I will write a follow-up post. In a shocking move against wildlife and wildlands, the Obama administration announced on Friday that wind . . .
Ireland as Britain’s wind farm – weighing up the pros and cons of ugly and heavily subsized Irish windfarms
If you have been to Ireland recently then you have seen the wind turbines. Like daffodils in the spring they seem to be popping up all over. Unlike daffodils, the wind turbines aren’t vanishing weeks later. They’re much more permanent. I have two problems with wind turbines: they’re ugly and they’re heavily subsidized. That doesn’t mean, however, that I’m entirely opposed to them. Ugly doesn’t really matter at all. In fact, I know quite a few people who don’t mind . . .
Wind energy group devising plan to present to tax committees
A top wind trade group said Monday that it’s crafting a long-term policy plan that it plans to take to tax-writing committees in the House and the Senate. The proposal will include “a number of scenarios or strategies,” incoming American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) CEO Tom Kiernan said at the organization’s annual conference in Chicago. AWEA officials will embark on a road show of sorts to get input from industry stakeholders before finalizing a proposal. But a gradual phase out . . .
Former chief of wind, gas industry groups joins major lobby shop
Denise Bode, the former head of wind and oil and gas industry trade groups, is now a principal with the prominent lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs. Bode recently stepped down as head of the American Wind Energy Association, and previously held top jobs with the Independent Petroleum Association of America and the American Clean Skies Foundation, a natural gas group. “I am excited about the tax and energy practices at Cornerstone. The stage is set for action on energy, as . . .
Can you spare a cup of coffee?
The summer is just around the corner and once again Falmouth will become the jewel of the cape with its beautiful beaches , interesting shops and miles of peaceful bike paths. Growing up, I always looked forward to going to Falmouth. Crossing over “the bridge “ was a passage to carefree and tranquility. Unfortunately a dark cloud is hanging over the community of Falmouth and until the cloud is removed there will never be tranquility. The dark cloud is all . . .
Are master limited partnerships a Trojan horse for killing the PTC?
The wind industry privately worries that MLPs are a bargaining chip for their tax credit. Master limited partnerships are currently the policy du jour in Washington. And unlike the hollow “momentum” earlier this year for a carbon tax, MLPs actually have bipartisan support and legislative potential. Last week, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors that would enable renewable energy and efficiency companies to take advantage . . .
New eagle-kill regulations for wind farms may have mixed consequences
The federal government is overhauling its policy for permitting incidental deaths of eagles at wind farms. Developers, who in the past have faced steep fines should eagles collide with wind turbines, can now apply for permits that require compensatory mitigation in lieu of paying fines. But what, if any, effect will this have on new development? A deceased golden eagle that turned up under a wind turbine at the Spring Valley Wind Farm in northeastern Nevada made big news last . . .
