National Wind Watch, Inc.

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U.K.
30 Dec 2008

Rush for renewable energy will put '£80 on household bills'
Households are facing large rises in their electricity bills in the coming decade because of the “dash” for renewables, according to an influential House of Lords report. Consumers across Britain face an extra £80 a year on their energy bills as a result of the Government’s commitment to source 15% of the UK’s power ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Utah
03 Dec 2008

Beaver aims to be 'renewable capital of Utah'
With the wind-corridor project, the county is fast becoming a convergence point for firms wanting to harness geothermal wells and wind. Milford — A steady stream of semis hitched to oversized flatbed trailers are rolling through Beaver and Milford these days, hauling 80-foot-long blades to a project site where, once attached to turbine towers, they’ll spin like giant pinwheels above the desert floor. The turbines will turn energy ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Scotland
04 Dec 2008

Residents 'devastated' at wind farm decision
News that the Scottish Government has given the go ahead for a 22 turbine wind farm at Drone Hill on Coldingham Moor has provoked an angry response in the Borders. People living nearby are devastated that, following a public enquiry believed to have cost SBC at least £20,000, Scottish Government Reporter Malcolm Mahony has overturned Scottish Borders Council’s original refusal of the turbine wind farm, after PM Renewables appealed against the decision. SBC has responded by saying that as the ...

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Europe, Press releases
04 Dec 2008

Commission approves proposed acquisition of Gamesa Energía's wind farm business by Iberdrola Renovables
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Gamesa Energia’s businesses for the promotion and development of wind farms in continental Europe, UK, Mexico and the Dominican Republic by Iberdrola Renovables, a Spanish energy company. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. Iberdrola Renovables S. A. is active in the generation and wholesale of ...

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Nebraska
05 Dec 2008

Cause of Bloomfield turbine fire still under investigation
BLOOMFIELD, Neb. — Three investigative teams will be coordinated to learn the cause of this week’s fire atop a 260-foot wind turbine north of Bloomfield, the state fire marshal’s office said Thursday. The fire occurred at one of 27 turbines on the 80-megawatt Elkhorn Ridge wind farm under construction. Once completed, Elkhorn Ridge will become Nebraska’s largest wind farm. The fire resulted in the hospitalization of a Vestas Wind Energy worker who suffered burns while working atop the wind turbine. ...

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U.S.
05 Dec 2008

Energy goals a moving target for states
In hopes of slowing global warming and creating “green jobs,” Congress and the incoming administration may soon impose a mandate that the nation get 10 or 15 percent of its electricity ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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England
06 Dec 2008

Turbine plan scaled down
People power has brought about a partial victory for residents battling plans for six wind turbines on the site of the Farington Waste Technology plant. Controversial proposals for a £120,000 scheme to put 15m high wind turbines as part of the education centre have now been approved. However, after angry residents branded the scheme ‘the straw that will break the camel’s back’, joint developers Lancashire County Council and Global Renewables have agreed to reduce the number of turbines to three. ...

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England
06 Dec 2008

Residents: 'We weren't consulted on turbines'
Villagers have hit out at an energy company claiming it failed to inform them about an important public meeting. Residents in Wingates say they were not contacted by Coronation Power to advise them of a public meeting held at Longframlington Memorial Hall last week. The meeting was held to discuss proposals for eight 110m-high turbines at Todburn East, on the outskirts of Wingates. It is just over a mile to the east of Longhorsley, and west of the A697 road. ...

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Massachusetts
06 Dec 2008

Cape Wind clears hurdle; Coast Guard signs off on project
The Coast Guard commander responsible for the waters off southeastern New England announced yesterday that the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm poses no significant problem for marine radar. During a follow-up conference call with participants of an October workshop, Coast Guard Capt. Raymond Perry said if the developer adheres to proposed mitigation techniques and Coast Guard conditions the project is “doable.” “The Coast Guard has to make the assessment on whether we can do this project or not,” Perry ...

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Massachusetts
06 Dec 2008

Alliance director takes on new role
Susan Nickerson, the executive director of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, announced yesterday that she will leave that group to become executive director of the Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association. “The hook association is very attuned to environmental issues on Cape Cod. They are leading the way in regaining the productivity of the fishery as well as trying to bring back this traditional livelihood,” Nickerson said yesterday. The hook association was founded in 1991. It has around 1,400 ...

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Michigan
06 Dec 2008

Wind ordinance blows into Ottawa County
Ottawa County officials are hoping to anchor those interested in harnessing wind energy with a new ordinance. The county’s Model Wind Energy Ordinance is designed to regulate all types of wind turbines — ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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West Virginia
08 Dec 2008

Randolph county anxiously awaits wind farm
West Virginia could reap the benefits of a 125-megawatt wind farm by the end of 2009. The Public Service Commission recently approved the 65-turbine wind farm on the Laurel Mountain Ridge between Randolph and Barbour counties. The $250 million facility will generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue. County Commission President Julia Elbon says that’s one of several benefits to the plan for Randolph County, along with tourism and more energy supply. “They have to be maintained and ...

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Pennsylvania
08 Dec 2008

Couple files lawsuit against wind company
HOLLIDAYSBURG - A local doctor and his wife have filed a lawsuit against the operator of a nearby wind farm saying they are losing sleep ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Rhode Island
09 Dec 2008

Towns to state: keep our wind farm concerns in mind
Block Island First Warden Kim Gaffett joined town officials ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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BlogsNew Mexico
10 Dec 2008

Commission Rules They're Above the Law
The Taos County planning commission ruled against the advice of their senior planner Edward Vigil, who had recommended denials for all three applications by Taos Wind Power: the height variance, landscaping variance and the major use permit. In his assessment Mr. Vigil said that the application could not fall within the county’s land use regulations, especially the visual compatibility and “use compatibility”regulations, since it clearly did not belong in a residential area. He also said the the applicant would not ...

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England
10 Dec 2008

Anxious wait in fight against Leeds wind farm
RESIDENTS in east Leeds are facing an anxious wait to find out if their campaign against proposals for a huge wind farm has been successful Development giant Banks submitted plans to the city council in February for the scheme at Hook Moor, near Micklefield. It had been hoped that the fate of the firm’s bid for planning permission would be known by early next year. Today, though, the council said a decision was unlikely before spring. The wind farm would consist of five propeller-style ...

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New York
10 Dec 2008

Attica wind farm out; lacked key factor: wind
First Wind, the developer of the Steel Winds wind-power project in Lackawanna, has shelved a wind farm in Attica because of a lack of wind and has postponed a similar project in Prattsburgh because of the economy. In addition, the Newton, Mass., company said that while a second-phase Steel Winds project in Lackawanna is still in the future, there are no plans for immediate construction. Wyoming County already has more than 200 wind turbines in the towns of Sheldon, Eagle and Wethersfield, ...

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Ireland
10 Dec 2008

Energy company to develop 57mw wind farm in Macroom
ULSTER BANK is leading a €100 million fundraising drive for a wind farm that the developers say will provide electricity for up to 30,000 homes. Green Energy Company Ltd is developing a 57 megawatt (mw)wind farm at Clashavoon in the Boggeragh Mountains, close to Macroom, Co Cork. The project has a licence ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Illinois
12 Dec 2008

Woodford may revise permit rules; County to look at process of wind project permits
EUREKA — With the specter of a new series of wind turbine applications looming, the Woodford County Board will consider altering the permitting process for such developments at a special meeting today. The meeting was originally scheduled for the county to authorize the purchase of new vehicles for the Woodford County Sheriff’s Department, before previously submitted bids for the vehicles expire on Monday. The board’s regularly scheduled meeting for December is Tuesday, but approving the purchase of vehicles at that ...

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British Columbia
12 Dec 2008

Clearcut raises concerns for threatened caribou
Company may have exceeded its permits and could be asked for a reclamation plan An aboriginal community is outraged after discovering that a Vancouver mining company conducting coal exploration in B. C.’s Rocky Mountains has cleared a mountain ridge near Chetwynd that is critical wintering habitat for threatened caribou. Chief Roland Willson of the West Moberly First Nation said his people were shocked to learn that about 17 hectares have been damaged for coal exploration. “They’ve cleared off the site … ...

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Texas
12 Dec 2008

Wind farms still face opposition on bird issue
A group that wants to slow the rush of wind turbines to the Texas Coast is asking the Federal Aviation Administration to require environmental studies for Texas wind farms. The Coastal Habitat Alliance has filed a petition with the FAA asking for the change in policy. This is the latest in a series of attempts the group has made to fight the emergence of wind farms on the coast, which is a major migratory bird route. The alliance worries about ...

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Massachusetts
12 Dec 2008

Congressman: Delay Cape Wind review
A Minnesota congressman with oversight of the Coast Guard wants to delay a federal review of Cape Wind and has threatened to hold hearings on the issue of marine safety and the wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound. U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, has written a letter to the commandant of the Coast Guard asking that a recommendation ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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England
12 Dec 2008

‘Sacrifice’ claim by villagers over wind turbines
Villagers say they have been sacrificed to protect other parts of Holderness after councillors gave the go-ahead to some of the biggest wind turbines in the country. Residents in Burton Pidsea, Holderness, told a meeting at County Hall, Beverley, that the visual impact of three turbines, 443ft high to the tip of the blade, would be “devastating” in a landscape devoid of prominent natural features. Alison Grove, who represented residents, said East Riding Council had already achieved its renewable energy ...

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Illinois
12 Dec 2008

Wind turbine plan scrapped by University of Illinois
The University of Illinois has canceled its plans to build wind turbines on campus, citing the university’s “deteriorating fiscal condition.” A contract for GE to build and deliver a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine for the South Farms was sent last week to the university ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Scotland, U.K.
14 Dec 2008

British Energy stalwart Robert Armour tells why Scotland must embrace changes or be left in the dark
IT’S 11.05am and Robert Armour, general counsel and company secretary of British Energy, is making a mad dash ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Illinois
15 Dec 2008

U. of Illinois cancels plans for $4.6-million “symbolic” wind turbine
U. of Illinois Cancels Plans for a Wind Turbine, Using Money to Tackle Deferred Maintenance The News-Gazette reports that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is scrapping its plan for a wind turbine because the $4.6-million that would have paid for the project is badly needed for deferred maintenance on campus. University officials said that the 1.5-megawatt turbine would not have generated enough power to meet much of the university’s consumption — perhaps one percent. Jack Dempsey, executive director of facilities and ...

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Illinois
15 Dec 2008

New wind farm proposal in Woodford, Livingston counties
A wind farm developer that already has been given the green light for turbines in the El Paso area is now proposing another series of towers in the Minonk Towhship area. Navitas, the Minneapolis-based energy company, submitted applications for 65 turbines to Woodford County on Friday. The company said in a press release that it intended to submit 27 additional special use permit applications in Livingston County in coming months. Those towers would be built in Waldo and Nebraska townships. The project as ...

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Press releases, Washington
15 Dec 2008

PSE and RES Americas to Jointly Develop Wind Energy Facilities in Washington State
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Puget Sound Energy, the largest utility-owner of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest, and RES Americas, a leading developer and constructor of wind power across the nation, today announced they have entered into an agreement to jointly develop and construct new wind energy generating facilities in Washington state’s Columbia and Garfield counties. “PSE and RES Americas have worked together successfully on PSE’s Hopkins Ridge and Wild Horse wind facilities,” said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer ...

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Ontario
15 Dec 2008

Turbines on defensive
Benefits ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Bulgaria, Europe
18 Dec 2008

American wind farm could result in a EU sanction
SOFIA — The American wind farm St. Nikola near Kaliakra, which was announced by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and American Ambassador in Bulgaria Nancy McEldowney on Tuesday, could lead to new sanctions ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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New York
18 Dec 2008

CV supervisor wants to talk turbines
CHERRY VALLEY — Town Supervisor Tom Garretson said during last week’s town board meeting that he wants to “revisit’’ the idea of a wind farm on East Hill. His comment comes almost exactly two years after the adoption of a local ordinance with stringent setback requirements that short circuited Reunion Power’s plan to site 24 turbines there. “Two years ago in 2006 I made the statement that the town board was committed to a project, maybe not the size that ...

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New Jersey
18 Dec 2008

N. J. ready to support three wind farm companies
Offshore wind farms are moving one step closer to reality, and three companies will take the same step at the same time. The state’s Board of Public Utilities approved a $12 million rebate program Wednesday for meteorological towers as part of offshore wind projects. The towers are used to collect wind data and other information to allow wind farms to generate as much power as safely and effectively as possible. Three companies - Bluewater Wind, Fishermen’s Energy and ...

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England, Letters
18 Dec 2008

Public exhibition is needed on council’s draft wind turbine development policy
Just in case your readers did not read the Public Notice page in your paper last week, not the most exciting page I suspect, I note that Fenland District Council are seeking residents comments on their draft Wind Turbine Development Policy which will be used as a guide in considering future proposals for wind turbines in Fenland. Comments need to be sent to the District Council before January 16 2009. There are going to be no public exhibitions, no public ...

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Connecticut
18 Dec 2008

Residents divided on new regulations for windmills
The year-long moratorium on commercial and subdivision applications in North Stonington expires later this month. N. STONINGTON — Residents continued to voice their opinions about proposed new regulations, sometimes repeatedly, to the Planning and Zoning Commission at Tuesday night’s special meeting. The hearing was opened last Thursday and continued until Tuesday night. One proposal that created controversy was the new windmill section of the regulations. Several residents, including neighbors of a proposed townowned wind farm on Wintechog Hill Road, spoke against ...

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England
18 Dec 2008

Turbine objections become official
Reasons for rejecting a wind farm between West Marton and Gargrave have been rubber-stamped by Craven District Council’s planning committee. The plans by energy group EnergieKontor for Brightenber Hill were rejected by councillors at a special meeting in November, despite officers recommending approval. This week, planning committee members were asked to accept the three main reasons for refusal and not be tempted to include reasons which could be mitigated against at appeal. They were told such reasons would be ...

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England
18 Dec 2008

Wind farm protestors are dealt new blow; European court may be next route
The storm over the city wind farm has still to blow out – despite opponents running out of UK options for defeating the plan. They say they may turn to the European courts after they were refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords. The company behind the proposed seven wind turbines at Petsoe Manor Farm, Emberton, Your Energy, welcomed the decision by the Lords appeal committee effectively upholding Milton Keynes Council’s approval of the project. Development manager Steve ...

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West Virginia
18 Dec 2008

Wind farm developers’ project timeline gets adjustment
KEYSER — The developers of the proposed Pinnacle Wind Farm near Keyser will not submit the project to the West Virginia Public Service Commission until sometime in February. Stepping back ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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England, U.K.
20 Dec 2008

Bird lovers split over plan to bring back glorious killer of the skies
The sea eagle is a glorious sight as it soars and swoops, but plans to reintroduce one of the world’s largest birds of prey to Norfolk are dividing bird lovers and running into opposition ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Prince Edward Island
23 Dec 2008

Wind farms lower property assessments in western P. E. I.
A couple ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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England
25 Dec 2008

Wind farm noise would be 'lower level than traffic'
Sound experts claim the noise ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Massachusetts
26 Dec 2008

Councilor calls for review of wind turbine law
NEWBURYPORT — For Councilor Greg Earls, the recently passed law that regulates the creation of wind turbines in the city needs another look. Earls filed a notice for Monday’s City Council meeting asking his fellow councilors to start a discussion that will look again at the wind turbine ordinance, including dimension, notifications and site suitability studies. Councilors can choose to direct Earls’ request to a subcommittee for review or not act on it at all. After councilors passed the ordinance ...

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England
26 Dec 2008

Public inquiry into turbines plan
A public inquiry into a planned wind farm in Kent will see a relay system and marquee set up because so many people are expected to attend. Dover Council is expecting “significant interest” in the hearing in January. Energy firm Ecotricity is planning five turbines at East Langdon, Guston and Whitfield and has said finding sources of renewable energy is “essential”. Council papers this year reported “considerable public opposition” to the scheme with 800 letters of objection. Dover Council ...

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Australia, Letters
26 Dec 2008

Green energy at a price
Why the beautiful Razorbacks? Why the unique Mt Bryan cluster? Why destroy every range in the Mid North with windfarms? I have noticed even Google Earth has now been censored by a green filter over Mt Bryan – bad luck Heysen Trail tourism! The push for quick Green energy fixes to knock up carbon credits to continue more polluting mining activities is “great”, but where are the studies as to the impact on the economic future, the ecological future of our region. I ...

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Prince Edward Island
26 Dec 2008

Storm damages wind turbine
Norway resident Ethel McHugh got up ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Nevada
23 Dec 2008

Stake purchased in proposed wind farm
NV Energy, Nevada’s largest utility company, announced Thursday that it had purchased a 50 percent stake in a proposed wind farm near Jackpot, in northeastern Nevada along the Idaho line. The company will partner with Denver-based Renewable Energy Systems Americas, a developer of wind projects in the United States and Canada. The so-called China Mountain project would generate 200 megawatts, enough electricity for 15,000 average Las Vegas homes, and would be on a combination of federal, state and private lands. The Bureau of ...

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Ontario
23 Dec 2008

Economy becalms wind farm expansion
The economy is being blamed, in part, for the delay of an expansion of the Erie Shores Wind Farm west into Elgin county. AIM PowerGen, the developer of Erie Shores Wind Farm in Bayham and Malahide, recently announced plans for expansion are being put on hold. AIM developed the concept of Erie Shores, optioned land and sold the concept to the Clean Power Income Fund to build. Erie Shores has since been purchased by Macquarie Power and Infrastructure Fund. AIM ...

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Kansas
26 Dec 2008

Wind farm's fate in court
As Jan. 1 creeps closer, 2008 is another year soon to be gone with the wind. For at least two years, a proposed wind farm project located southwest of Hays has been a subject of much discussion and controversy. Earlier this year, approval of the 200-megawatt project was granted by local governing bodies, only to be tied up in district court. Following the county commission’s 2-1 vote of approval in July, with commissioner Perry Henman dissenting, opponents of the project ...

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Oregon
27 Dec 2008

Counties approve SIP agreements
Friday both Morrow and Umatilla Counties approved the Strategic Investment Plan for the Echo wind farm — a tax exemption that lowers the overall amount of taxes paid by the wind farm, but increases the revenue to the counties. Both counties signed the SIP agreement, along with the nine companies making up the wind farm, and Umatilla County signed a resolution to send to the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission to approve the tax exemption. Paul Woodin, executive director of the ...

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England
27 Dec 2008

Group produces wind turbine report
A Norfolk action group has highlighted the lack of industry regulation on wind turbines by producing its own report. Campaign group 4Villages said there is a growing danger to the public ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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England, Wales
29 Dec 2008

Powys planners vote against turbine plans over the border
A controversial wind farm on the border of Powys and Herefordshire would not be considered if it was in Wales according to a senior planning official. The application for four wind turbines on Reeves Hill is due to be considered by Herefordshire County Council on January 9 but came before Powys County Planning Committee on Monday for the county’s response. Steve Packer, planning services manager, said: “If there were any turbines in Wales then Welsh policy context would make ...

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Pennsylvania
29 Dec 2008

Wind turbine regulations enacted: Vote was split
An ordinance regulating industrial wind turbine locations in Potter County was passed last week by a 2-1 vote of the Board of Commissioners. Chairman Doug Morley and Paul Heimel voted in favor of the regulations, to be incorporated in the Potter County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Commissioner Susan Kefover cast a dissenting vote. The commissioners made significant revisions to the amendment that was proposed earlier this year by the Potter County Planning Commission. Much of the discussion over the ...

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New York
29 Dec 2008

Orleans wind-power panel starts with 5 members
The town of Orleans plans to create a Citizens Wind Committee in January, but with fewer members than anticipated. Town Supervisor Donna J. Chatterton said the committee will start with five members. The town was initially looking for up to nine residents to serve on the proposed wind committee that would help the Town Council make informed decisions regarding wind development. The town has received three applications so far — ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Scotland
30 Dec 2008

Wind farm proposal for landfill site
Four wind turbines could be placed on a former landfill site at Forthbank in Alloa. Clackmannanshire Council has given permission to Partnership for Renewables (PfR) to examine the potential implications of the installation of the 80 metre high machines. PfR’s development director Alan Mathewson told the Advertiser that when up and running, the turbines could generate 2.5 megawatts each – enough green energy to power 5000 households. He added, “We’re still at the early stages of this work and we ...

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Letters, Massachusetts
29 Dec 2008

Wind farm simulations don't convey beauty lost
The “simulated images” of the wind farm project contained on Cape Wind’s Web site show how the turbine forest might look to the casual observer driving by. But the Web site fails to capture the magnificence of Nantucket Sound ...

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National Wind Watch, Inc.

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Japan
30 Dec 2008

Japan won't join international eco-agency
The government has decided not to join the International Renewable Energy Agency, a multinational organization tasked with the promotion of solar, wind and other forms of bioenergy to be launched next month, according to government sources. The government said it would not be joining the body because the functions of IRENA overlap those of the International Energy Agency, in which Japan currently holds the seat of executive director. Some observers have voiced concern, however, that the decision might be seen ...

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Minnesota
31 Dec 2008

Two new power line routes proposed; CapX 2020 project's line would end in Dakota County
Two possible route plans for a proposed major high-voltage power line that could carry wind-generated electricity from southwestern Minnesota to the Twin Cities area were filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Tuesday. The 345-kilovolt line, part of the billion-dollar CapX 2020 project, would stretch more than 200 miles from a power substation in Brookings County just across the border in South Dakota to the southern metro area, ending at the Hampton power substation in rural Dakota County. Minneapolis-based Xcel ...

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Massachusetts
31 Dec 2008

Newburyport finds it's not that easy being green
NEWBURYPORT — The city invested much time and effort this year into blazing a green trail and establishing itself as an eco-friendly community, and while many of its efforts paid off, several others hit a snag or two on the road to fulfillment. Armed with recommendations from its year-old Energy Advisory Committee, the city pushed through the purchase of a hybrid car for its traffic officer and began searching out green upgrades to a number of city buildings. It partnered ...

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Iowa
31 Dec 2008

Second company mulling wind energy project in Clinton County
A second company is exploring the possibility of building a wind energy farm in northeastern Clinton County. Midwest Wind Energy, based in Chicago, has met with interested landowners in the area about building a $340 million wind energy farm that would include 80 to 120 turbines, project coordinator Bill French said. The company must first build a meteorological tower that will take readings about the wind in the area. French said the company expects to seek a permit from the ...

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Letters, Ontario
31 Dec 2008

Whichever way the wind blows
South Algonquin Township council showed strong leadership by passing a 10-year moratorium on wind-farm development. It is hoped this will give the Ontario government pause to take a gale-forced step back from its greener energy targets to consider the devastating environmental and human costs of erecting wind farms in inappropriate places (What If You Can’t See The Forest For The Wind Farm? — online, Dec. 29). Instead of hanging its hat on flawed environmental assessments, it is hoped that the ...

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Pennsylvania
31 Dec 2008

Hearing on wind farm stormwater effect set
A public hearing is set for Wednesday, Jan. 7, to take comments on the effect of the Mehoopany Wind Farm Project on area watersheds. The hearing by the state Department of Environmental Protection is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. at Triton Hose Company, 108 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. The application was filed by BP Alternative Energy, which is planning to construct the wind farm in Eaton, Forkston, Mehoopany, and Noxen townships. The full application is available for inspection at ...

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Massachusetts
31 Dec 2008

Staples shelves wind turbine plan
FRAMINGHAM — Paltry gusts have taken the wind out of a plan to erect a 200-foot wind turbine at Staples corporate headquarters off Rte. 9. The Zoning Board of Appeals gave the go-ahead for the office supply giant to build a 120-foot meteorological test tower to measure wind velocity on the side of a hill near 500 Staples Drive. The data collected from the spring until December indicates the wind is not strong enough to make the project financially worthwhile. ...

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Letters, Ontario
31 Dec 2008

Research shows turbines are unreliable
If my research into wind power provided me with the facts that turbines were a viable form of energy that reduced green house gas emissions, or would not raise my taxes or my energy bills, then I would be fighting to have them installed. But the research that I have done points elsewhere. I’m a big fan of data, compiling, analyzing and extrapolating it. I did a lot of this in school for engineering technology and in my work in ...

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Minnesota
31 Dec 2008

Two new power line routes proposed; CapX 2020 project’s line would end in Dakota County
Two possible route plans for a proposed major high-voltage power line that could carry wind-generated electricity from southwestern Minnesota to the Twin Cities area were filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Tuesday. The 345-kilovolt line, part of the billion-dollar CapX 2020 project, would stretch more than 200 miles from a power substation in Brookings County just across the border in South Dakota to the southern metro area, ending at the Hampton power substation in rural Dakota County. Minneapolis-based Xcel ...

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Massachusetts
31 Dec 2008

Newburyport finds it’s not that easy being green
NEWBURYPORT — The city invested much time and effort this year into blazing a green trail and establishing itself as an eco-friendly community, and while many of its efforts paid off, several others hit a snag or two on the road to fulfillment. Armed with recommendations from its year-old Energy Advisory Committee, the city pushed through the purchase of a hybrid car for its traffic officer and began searching out green upgrades to a number of city buildings. It partnered ...

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England
31 Dec 2008

Route options for Fullabrook still being considered
Two possible routes into North Devon are being investigated by the energy firm behind the Fullabrook wind farm. Work on the site is due to begin at the start of 2010 and the farm should be fully operational by the end of the year. The 22 turbines will be 110m (360ft) tall and, according to Devon Wind Power, the machines will produce more than 40% of Devon’s renewable energy target (151 megawatts). Two possible routes for the turbines to get ...

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Letters, Wales
31 Dec 2008

Help save mountains
At this time of year our thoughts often turn to those who are no longer with us. My father rests in Cymmer Cemetery, under the shade of a tree, surrounded by the mountains which he loved, a perfectly lovely spot until the eye wanders upwards. There, strung out along the crest, are giant stone crosses, and the mind cannot blot them out. They are not a majestic group easily passed on the road from Cymmer to Port Talbot, this view ...

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New York
31 Dec 2008

Marble River wind farm plans on hold
ELLENBURG — The wind will rage on, but for now, the potential energy it could produce will go untapped. Horizon Wind Energy, the Houston, Tx.-based firm behind the proposal of a wind farm in the towns of Ellenburg and Clinton, has delayed construction for the multi-million dollar project. However, according to project manager Gary S. Davidson, plans for the Marble River Wind Farm development are still under way. “We had, at one point, thought we could begin construction as early as ...

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Ireland
30 Dec 2008

Region tipped to be energy leader
In its end of year statement, the Western Development Commission (WDC) has said the region should be positioned as an International Energy Centre, serving the energy needs of the entire island of Ireland and beyond. Gillian Buckley CEO said; “This year, the WDC identified the potential of The Western Region’s natural resources of ocean, wind, and wood energy. Our research shows that these sectors present enormous opportunities. If the Western Region’s renewable energy resources are developed to their full potential ...

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Japan
30 Dec 2008

Japan won’t join international eco-agency
The government has decided not to join the International Renewable Energy Agency, a multinational organization tasked with the promotion of solar, wind and other forms of bioenergy to be launched next month, according to government sources. The government said it would not be joining the body because the functions of IRENA overlap those of the International Energy Agency, in which Japan currently holds the seat of executive director. Some observers have voiced concern, however, that the decision might be seen ...

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England
30 Dec 2008

Co-op tests turbine idea
The Co-op has taken a step closer to installing a giant wind turbine in Oxford which could reach 85m (280ft) high — almost four times the height of Carfax Tower. The Midcounties Co-op has installed a 60m (200ft) test mast to investigate whether it would be feasible to construct an 850kw wind turbine off Botley Road, in Oxford. The installation of the mast comes just over a year after Oxford City Council asked the Co-op to withdraw its application so planning officers ...

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Iowa
30 Dec 2008

Crystal Lake quiets with halt in wind turbine work
Winter begins with 100 towers up, more work expected in spring Wind power was greatly increased in Winnebago and Hancock counties in 2008 with FPL Energy, out of Florida, erecting 180 wind turbines near Crystal Lake and Forest City. Phase 1 of the wind project, Crystal Lake’s 100 General Electric wind turbines producing 150 megawatts of energy was energized and started producing electricity Oct. 18. Phase 2, 80 Clipper turbines capable of producing 200 megawatts of power and located southwest of Forest City, ...

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Massachusetts
30 Dec 2008

Wind farm proposed for Douglas site
A Weymouth development firm is proposing to build a 12-turbine wind farm on a 216-acre undeveloped parcel in Douglas near the Webster town line, a project that could provide up to 24,000 kilowatts of electricity, enough to power about 8,500 homes. The $57 million wind farm, to be called the Douglas Woods Renewable Energy Park and still in the early stages of development, would be among the largest wind farms in the region. The planned 300-foot wind turbine towers could ...

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Massachusetts
30 Dec 2008

Wind turbines may be in Chatham's future
CHATHAM — “First stop of the east wind” wasn’t just a chamber of commerce marketing slogan. Chatham is a very windy place, although the almost ever-present breeze doesn’t always come from a single direction. While Chatham is miles away from the controversial Cape Wind project, some are looking to the town’s windy shores to provide some relief from utility costs.  ...

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Massachusetts
30 Dec 2008

Harwich wind turbine plans stifled by Chatham airport
HARWICH — The Federal Aviation Administration has determined five locations where the town is examining placing large-scale wind turbines are not feasible due to the proximity of Chatham Municipal Airport. That is the conclusion of a draft feasibility study conducted for the town of Harwich by consulting firm Weston & Sampson, Inc., and Power Engineering, LLC. But town officials vow to pursue their goal of establishing large-scale wind turbines ...

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