Wind Power News: April 2012
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.
Wind farms fuel debate in Vermont
Few people get to enjoy the views of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom that Catherine Morrell and her colleagues do. They climb straight up nearly 300 feet, to see the world from the top of wind turbines. “A lot people don’t like the way they look on the mountaintops, but I think they’re gorgeous,” Morrell said. She works for the Boston company First Wind. Its 16 new turbines in Sheffield produce enough electricity to power 15,000 Vermont homes serviced by Washington Electric . . .
Shelburne Falls wind project opposed
Shelburne Falls residents are meeting Tuesday night at 7 at the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School to discuss a petition that calls for prohibiting commercial wind projects and only allowing small scale private wind turbines. A developer named Don Fields has proposed to build four industrial scale wind turbines on Mount Massaemat. Saving money is on many people’s minds, so if these wind turbines mean lower electricity bills, many residents told 22News, they are on board. Jane Parsons of Greenfield told 22News, . . .
Bend group sues to halt Steens Mtn. wind project
It’s considered one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the West. Stretching across southeastern Oregon, over 425,550 undeveloped acres dotted with desert, mountains and wildlife. “It’s hard to find a place like Steens Mountain any more. You know, it’s amazingly wild. What you feel is the kind of solitude that you really can’t find in most places,” Brent Fenty, executive director of the Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association, said Thursday. In December, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed a . . .
Crystal Brook wind farm plan shelved
Origin Energy says it will not proceed with a planned 40-turbine wind farm in the mid-north of South Australia. It said it could not make a business case for the development to proceed at Crystal Brook and it would focus on other projects. Anne Beinke from a local action group opposing the wind farm said it was good news for many residents. “We do understand that there will be people in our local community who don’t welcome the news and . . .
Local wind projects may endanger golden eagles
SAN DIEGO — The growing number of bird killed by blades of wind turbines could impact a major San Diego project. Video released by conservation group Save The Eagles International has revealed a vulture being struck and killed while flying near a wind turbine. In another video, taken at night in infrared, a bat is shown also suffering the same fate. Across the nation, about 450,000 birds are killed every year at wind farms. According to Dave Bittner, executive director . . .
Whitley Co. Plan Commission gets wind of residents concerns on wind turbines
Instead of hearing from the Whitley County Plan Commission about the wind turbines, the commission had to listen to the public’s feedback. “I don’t want them real close to me, that’s the whole reason why I’m here tonight,” said P.D. Rhoads. Rhoads is against having the turbines, but says everyone has their own point of view on the matter, but some people just didn’t want to hear from the other side. One of the speakers who wanted Whitley County to . . .
The mills of discord
Lévézou : les éoliennes de la discorde — Il y a quelques mois, le paysage des Causses des Cévennes a été classé patrimoine de l’humanité. Dans le même temps, des projets d’implantations d’éoliennes ont vu le jour sur ce site. Des éoliennes qui créént la polémique. [A few months ago, the Causses des Cévennes landscape was classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. At the same time wind energy facilities already surround it (more than 200 giant turbines) and . . .
Goodhue wind farm project dealt setback
Opponents of expanded wind power call it the great contradiction. They say that so called “green energy” is good for the environment, but bad for birds. Each year, the spinning turbine blades will kill countless migrating birds, from bats to bald eagles. Daniel Schleck is an attorney representing the citizen’s group, the Coalition for Sensible Siting. “When you’re dealing with noted species it’s hard to identify how many, so that issue needs to be addressed possibly further,” Schleck said. Schleck . . .
Wind farm continues to stir controversy
County leaders held another meeting Wednesday night to discuss a plan to put in a wind farm in Whitley County. Dozens of people had hoped to share their opinions, but didn’t get the chance. Those who live nearby came armed with signs and buttons promoting their stance, but the chairman of the Whitley County Plan Commission reminded everyone that it wasn’t a pubic hearing. “Our vote is a recommendation to the commissioners, so we’re not approving or disproving a wind . . .
Wind farm opponents reject study; Say DEP study ignores evidence
State officials are inviting the public to comment on a study that evaluates the health impact of wind turbines. This Wind Turbine Impact Study says there is no scientific evidence linking wind turbines to negative health effects. This finding has many people across the state divided. Eleanor Tillinghast president of the group Green Berkshires, is among those who believe the report is not reliable. “The report that was issued by DEP is junk science. It ignored all the anecdotal testimony . . .
