Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
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.
Bad move bears: AG complaint alleges BOH violated open meeting law, took illegal gifts
KINGSTON- Only an hour after the Kingston Board of Health (BOH) recessed their April 22 public hearing on shadow-flicker—the BOH was back in session at a Kingston bar, with a quorum, dining next to the top executives of the LLC managing three of Kingston’s four skyscraping wind turbines. An ethics complaint, filed with Attorney General Martha Coakley by KJ.com News Editor Bradford Randall, formally alleges that the Kingston BOH violated the Open Meeting Law (G.L. c.30A~18-25) on the night of . . .
Wind farms trials to begin in Kildare
Kildare’s first wind farm may be in the pipeline, as Bord na Mona’s plans for controversial turbines move a step closer. A proposal for a 100m high wind monitoring mast to assess wind strength at bogland near Rathangan is currently being considered by Kildare County Council. The company is one of a number of commercial entities, which are looking to erect up to 450 wind turbines across the midlands, bringing billions of euro of investment and jobs. However, opponents fear . . .
Study looks at storing wind energy in Mid-Columbia
Wind energy could be stored underground among volcanic rock formations in two places in Eastern Washington, making the seasonal and intermittent power that wind generates more practical, according to a new study. Sites north of Boardman in Benton County and about 10 miles north of Selah in the Yakima Canyon could store enough wind energy to power about 85,000 homes each month, according to the study, conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bonneville Power Administration. About 13 percent of . . .
Debate grows over renewable energy bill
CALHAN – A strong effort is underway to sway governor John Hickenlooper into either signing or vetoing a new renewable energy bill. Senate Bill 13-252 mandates rural electric cooperatives produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from solar, wind and other renewable sources by the year 2020. Previous standards required the co-ops to produce just 10 percent by that same deadline. The accelerated timetable will likely mean expensive capital improvements for the non-profit co-ops. Ratepayers like George Schubert, a . . .
Tipton development: A study of contrasts
These are exciting times for Tipton County, with Chrysler coming to the county and bringing more than 800 legitimate jobs. These jobs will invite families to move to Tipton County and call this community their home. It will likely increase demand for homes and land in our county, thus improving property values, which have suffered in recent years with our nation’s economic struggles. Furthermore, the additions of Casey’s and Tractor Supply Co. to the area of the Ind. 19 and . . .
Wind turbines but no jobs
Despite the promises South Australia will never become a hub for manufacturing wind turbines, towers or blades, according to evidence at a parliamentary inquiry into wind energy. “It’s disappointing,” inquiry chair David Ridgway said. “I’d hoped that as the wind power capital of Australia, with over half the installed wind generating capacity, SA would have had hundreds of jobs in manufacturing turbines and blades. “Instead we hear they’re all imported from the USA, Europe or China, and that’s not going . . .
Reeves Hill wind farm oponents look to review
Campaigners hoping to stop a wind farm being built in Herefordshire have been given new hope with the prospect of an environmental study being carried out by Powys Council. The Stonewall Hill Conservation Group received renewed cause for optimism – despite seeing its objections against the proposed development near Lingen being quashed by a judicial review hearing last month. But protestors may now have the backing of the Welsh Government after a proposed change to the site access road – . . .
Residents question why wind developer wrote town’s appeal
ANTRIM — A handful of residents remain angry that the town’s Select Board voted to appeal a state decision that denied a proposed wind farm, but what really struck the wrong chord with those residents was learning that the town motion submitted to the Site Evaluation Committee was authored by an attorney for the wind developer. In a Microsoft Word document obtained by resident Richard Block, the properties of the document name Susan Geiger, the attorney for Antrim Wind Energy, . . .
Marshall County first to ban wind farms
It’s believed that Marshall County today became the first county in Indiana to ban commercial wind farms within its borders. “It’s just our wildest dreams realized,” said Marabeth Levett, a supporter of the ban. “Marshall County is very densely populated compared to Benton, and White County where they’re seem to be living fairly well with them; but in Marshall County, farms are right next to homes.” The decision on the part of the Marshall County Board of Commissioners was unanimous. . . .
Gov. Heineman: Wait on wind power legislation
As debate looms on legislation that could lead to Nebraska getting a $300 million wind farm, Republican Gov. Dave Heineman reiterated his opposition Monday to the tax breaks that could pave the way for the project. A bill (LB104) by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop would remove a barrier to the development and export of wind energy in Nebraska. The measure would provide a sales tax exemption for the purchase of turbines, towers and other wind-farm components — which Iowa, Kansas . . .
