^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
30 Apr 2009
Wind Action Group voice concerns
Opposition to wind farms is not a ‘NIMBY’ issue, Oxford residents told a travelling legislative committee hearing on the Green Energy Act.
Oxford Wind Action Group’s Joan Morris spoke to the Standing Committee on General Government April 15 in London, telling them of her group’s concerns the omnibus bill would eradicate landowner’s rights, threaten agricultural lands and threaten public health in the name of making the development of ‘green’ energy easier. Its opposition is not drawn ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
01 May 2009
Company reveals plans to develop major, industrial wind energy generating facility; Chicago company targeting Sweden, Allegany and Ulysses townships in Potter County
Plans for development of a major industrial wind energy generating facility were revealed during a recent meeting of the Allegany Township Board of Supervisors in Potter County.
A Chicago-based company, Invenergy, would like to build thirty, 400-foot-high wind turbines in Sweden, Allegany and western Ulysses townships. Company spokesman Jay Schoenberger and developer Mike Mulcahey of Port Allegany shared information with the Allegany Township board Wednesday night.
The Invenergy plan is separate ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
02 May 2009
47 new liens filed against Noble Environmental Power
EAGLE — Forty-seven additional mechanics liens have been filed by a Michigan construction company against Noble Environmental Power.
The Aristeo Construction Company filed the liens on April 17. They don’t list a dollar amount, but mention numerous other parties as debtors, including NEP affiliate Noble Construction LLC; the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency; and property owners for each affected parcel.
The latter includes Eagle residents, along with a few in North Java and Lancaster. Boxler Dairy Farms of Varysburg, McCormick Farms of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Malta
03 May 2009
Impact of Għadira wind farms
I read with interest Alan Deidun’s article on the proposed wind farms (April 30). He quickly dismisses visual impact as being a subjective issue. As yet there are no wind farms in Malta and it is very difficult for the people to visualise what it will look like. Each turbine is 120 metres high compared to the Portomaso Tower which is 98 metres high. What will be the visual impact of having 19 structures each the size of Portomaso tower ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Minnesota
03 May 2009
Wind farm gets hearing
About 130 people attended a public information meeting on a proposed 60-megawatt wind farm hosted by the Office of Energy Security (OES) Wednesday evening in Barnesville.
OES is a part of the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
A 21,500 acre wind farm is being proposed by the Project Resources Corporation in Minneapolis that would be located in Becker, Clay and Otter Tail counties.
The purpose of the public information meeting was to answer any questions and to hear opinions on the proposed project, said ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.K.
03 May 2009
An ill wind blows away renewables optimism
As energy minister Ed Miliband made his way to Whitehall Place last Monday, he was one of few Cabinet members who still had a spring in his step. Morale at the Department of Energy and Climate Change was high after the renewable energy measures Miliband lobbied hard to include in the Budget went down a storm with industry.
While colleagues at the Treasury were in damage control mode after a weekend of pessimistic headlines, Miliband’s men were in celebratory mood.
Measures ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, Vermont
03 May 2009
Energy bill will hurt consumers
The April 23 Free Press editorial supporting a House energy bill that would force Vermonters to pay rates well above market prices for expensive renewable energy sources fails to recognize the difficult economic times we are facing. The legislation places an unfair burden on working families to benefit energy entrepreneurs.
To portray concerns about legislation that will drive up energy costs as “partisan” and “squealing” misses the point entirely — we need to make Vermont more affordable, and subsidizing renewable energy ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Jersey
03 May 2009
Warren County farmers, environmentalists clash over renewable energy legislation
About 100 years after his great-grandfather traded his house in the eastern part of the state for a farm in Mansfield Township, Greg Donaldson turned to the sun to help keep the family business going.
Where Donaldson and his relatives grow fruits, vegetables and other crops, solar panels were installed on one rooftop about five years ago. The system covers about one-third of the energy costs for the farm stand and other nearby buildings on the non-preserved portion of his ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oklahoma
03 May 2009
Property owners voice concerns about OGE’s transmission line plan
Conflict is brewing between Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and some northwestern Oklahoma landowners over OG&E’s attempts to condemn property for a high-voltage transmission line to transport wind-generated electricity.
“I have a neighbor with a pacemaker. He told me he will never be able to go on his property again,” said Jimmie Purvine, 61, who is fighting condemnation of a 1½-mile long strip across his Dewey County property. “That could be me in another four years.”
Loss of value
Some landowners ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New York
03 May 2009
Noise information should have been disclosed
I was recently contacted by councilman Steven Kula regarding a visit some of Prattsburgh’s officials had to Chatham-Kent, Ontario to visit the Kruger Port Alma wind project.
I do not doubt that the people Stacey Bottoni and Sharon Quigley spoke to on their recent visit to Chatham-Kent did like the Kruger turbines and had no issues with them. However, that is not the case for everyone living near the turbines. I am in contact with a family suffering severe health/quality of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Vermont
03 May 2009
Better alternatives to wind generation
As an adjacent landowner to the proposed Sheffield Wind Project, I feel compelled to respond to the April 26 “It’s time to reap Vermont’s wind” editorial.
I think we agree that in addition to providing a reliable electric energy supply at a reasonable price to ratepayers, our future energy objectives are to reduce our dependence on imported (
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
France
04 May 2009
Convicted for selling property without mentioning wind energy project
{Condamné pour avoir vendu son bien sans parler du project éolien}
The proximity of a wind energy park (still in planning) could have lowered the price of a real estate property by 20%. The seller of a house in Tigné has been found liable by the court of Angers for “keeping silent”.
The seller of a house sited 1.1 km ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Alberta
05 May 2009
Alberta farmers lose fight against Alberta-Montana power line in Appeal Court
A group of southern Alberta landowners has lost its fight to block a proposed power line that would run ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
06 May 2009
Wind turbines still a health concern for group
For Sandy MacLeod and a group of 11 neighbours living in the Ripley industrial wind turbine project, it’s been a very long 18 months. They just want the healthy home environment they had enjoyed for some three to 32 years returned.
“We just want it to be over,” said MacLeod.
The simple request goes out to the companies Acciona and Suncor that own the project and to the provincial Liberal government who approved the operating standards. The group also includes John and ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maryland
06 May 2009
Critics: Dan’s Mountain project not good fit for Allegany County
CUMBERLAND —The possibility of 200 construction jobs didn’t sway critics of a planned commercial wind turbine project atop Dan’s Mountain.
Neither did an estimated $5.4 million in new property tax revenue over the next decade. Nor did an appeal to clean, green energy.
Instead, the 14 area residents who spoke in favor of legislation that would place steep limitations on industrial wind energy projects here said the project simply wasn’t a good fit for Allegany County.
Many didn’t accept the figures offered by ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oregon, U.S.
06 May 2009
Parts of Obama's Green Energy Plan Fuel Discontent Among Environmentalists
Many local activists say the rush to renewables, backed by Obama, risks trading one power problem for another
A key part of President Obama’s energy plan — replacing fossil fuels with green alternatives — is facing increasing opposition ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
07 May 2009
A three county farm?
A Minnesota-based company will likely apply for permits soon to establish a sizable wind farm on property stretching across Stephenson, Ogle, and Winnebago counties southeast of German Valley.
The company proposing this “tri-county” wind farm is Navitas Energy, based out of Minneapolis, Minn. Several years ago, Navitas received a special-use permit to establish a wind farm between Freeport and Dakota, but that project is currently on hold due to ongoing litigation.
Navitas representatives are expected to apply for permits on the new ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.S.
07 May 2009
Gov't eyes public land for green energy in 2010
Wind and solar energy projects currently proposed for lands owned by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management will be ready for construction by the end of 2010, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said.
Of the wind projects currently proposed for public land almost 1,400 Megawatts of new capacity, -enough to power more than 400,000 homes — are estimated to be ready for construction in the set time frame. More than 6,000 MW of new capacity ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
West Virginia
07 May 2009
Panel won't conduct meeting in May
KEYSER — The Community Advisory Panel for the proposed Pinnacle Wind Farm near Keyser will not conduct its regular monthly meeting, with panel members instead slated to tour a Pennsylvania wind farm later this month.
The wind farm tour, which is limited to members of the panel, is scheduled for May 18, with plans calling for the group to visit a wind farm within an hour’s drive ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
08 May 2009
Graffiti protest over wind turbines
A wind turbine on the Arnish Mooor outside Stornoway has been the target of a graffiti protest.
A large owl has been carefully depicted on the wind turbine near its base, along with the legend, “I don’t know what looks worse.”
Responsibility for the defacing has been claimed by a hitherto unknown body tagging themselves as the “Rural Group”.
The incident is thought to be the first recorded act of vandalism at the windfarm development, to date the only operational commercial windpower ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Northern Ireland
08 May 2009
Campaign against wind farm boosted
Campaigners against a proposed wind farm near Drumsurn have been boosted by Limavady councillors supporting their bid to block the plan.
The Roe Valley Anti-Wind Farm Group is against Gaelectric’s bid to build a seven-turbine farm at Smulgedon Hill, outside Drumsurn.
As part of their campaign, the group has collected hundreds of signatures ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
09 May 2009
Bill to make renewable-energy districts held in state Senate
SPRINGFIELD – The winds of change are being held in check for the time being, but sponsors of a state bill to create energy-production districts hope they will be back even stronger.
The bill, HB 3646, sponsored by Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, creates the Renewable Energy Production District Act, allowing any area within a single county to be incorporated as a renewable-energy production district.
The bill was introduced by Black in the Illinois House of Representatives in February and passed March 29 ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New York
09 May 2009
Wind farm laws should consider neighboring towns
A controversial proposed site for the placement of a wind farm in the Town of Orangeville, is the focus of regional concerns and debate. The primary questions is: Should an industrial wind farm be situated where it can cause significant harm to neighboring townships? In this case the Village of Attica.
The location in question is at the northern border of Orangeville. The location and topography of this proposed site indicate that the Village of Attica reservoir would be a primary ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
09 May 2009
Court ruling means Freedom turbines will stay
FREEDOM — A decision May 5 by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court spells the end of local attempts to have the turbines removed, said town attorney William Kelly.
The ruling upheld the findings of Freedom’s code enforcement officer Jay Guber, dismissing an appeal by Steve Bennett and two other residents with land abutting the three-turbine Beaver Ridge Wind development.
The suit claimed that developers Beaver Ridge Wind had not “substantially commenced” work on the project when a six-month building permit expired ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
09 May 2009
Champaign panel seeks to increase wind-farm buffer zone
CHAMPAIGN – City planning officials like the idea of using wind farms to generate electricity. They really do.
But not in the city’s backyard.
At the city’s plan commission meeting this week, members voted 5-0 to not protest a proposed county zoning ordinance text amendment that would allow wind farms in the county Agriculture 1 zoning district with approval of a special-use permit by the Champaign County Board.
But the plan commission is also suggesting – at the planning staff’s recommendation – that ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, Vermont
10 May 2009
Renewable energy bill is hidden tax
As we work to improve the economic climate for Vermont businesses and families, it is with great concern that I reply to the My Turn piece titled “Energy bill is a step forward” (April 20).
The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and the Rutland Economic Development Corp. see daily the challenges Vermont businesses and individuals face; House Bill H.446, referred to as the Vermont Energy Act of 2009, would greatly add to those challenges.
The chamber and REDC have long supported renewable ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kansas
10 May 2009
Fight over power lines could be nearing end
Proposals ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Australia
11 May 2009
Turbine power gets green light
The Lal Lal Wind Farm in the Moorabool Shire has been given the go-ahead by Planning Minister Justin Madden.
Planning permits were granted yesterday for the controversial farm, which will consist of almost 70 wind turbines.
The $350 million project is expected to inject up to $200 million into the local economy, as well as creating many job opportunities.
“The benefits ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
12 May 2009
London Array given green light, work to commence this summer
DONG Energy, E. ON and Masdar have announced that they will invest EUR2.2bn ($3bn) in building the first 630 MW phase of the London Array offshore wind farm in the Thames Estuary.
The announcement comes after the UK Government’s recent proposal to increase its support for offshore wind power. The partners are satisfied that the project is now financially viable and are now keen to push ahead with construction and to produce the first renewable power in 2012.
Onshore work is ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.S.
12 May 2009
Turning off wind turbines saves bats
Turning off wind turbines during low-wind periods reduces the rate of bat deaths at wind farms by 70 percent, according to a study conducted by Portland-based wind energy developer Iberdrola Renewables.
Iberdrola partnered with independent conservation group Bat Conservation International to study the effects of wind farms on the bat population at its Casselman wind farm in Garrett, Pa.
>
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, South Dakota
13 May 2009
Wind power not all it's cracked up to be
Wind power is a pretty idea. You get power without a tail pipe — no pollution and no greenhouse gas emissions. And, best of all, you can never use up the original source. President Obama makes wind a key part of his strategies to combat global warming, reduce dependence on foreign oil and create green jobs for American workers.
This is particularly significant for South Dakota, for if there’s anything we have in abundance besides winter, it’s wind. Of course, there ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
13 May 2009
Anger over South Downs wind plan
An environmental charity has added weight to protests against a planned wind farm on land earmarked for a National Park.
Volkswind hope to build two wind turbines on the South Downs, near East Meon, Hampshire.
The proposed turbines will stand 415ft (126m) tall — more than double the height of Nelson’s Column.
But the South Downs Society has said it wants the land to remain protected and for plans to be aborted.
The proposal would see the turbines built on Salt Hill and Wether ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
13 May 2009
Quincy considers new wind turbine rules
A proposal that would both streamline and regulate the process for erecting wind turbines in Quincy is being contemplated by city officials.
A mayoral task force introduced the ordinance this week after a year of study, saying it would essentially bring the city’s zoning code up to speed with 21st-century technology.
It outlines where wind turbines can be built, how they must relate to the surroundings and what process developers must follow. No one would be exempt ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
14 May 2009
Health unit asks for investigation on effects of wind turbines
WELLINGTON CTY. — Local public health officials have asked the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion to investigate the potential impact of wind turbines on human health.
Rob Thompson, Director of Health Protection with the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit, submitted the request to the agency on May 6, along with Nicola Mercer, acting Medical Officer of Health.
“There’s concern across the province about the proliferation of {wind farms},” Thompson said on Monday. He explained there is a lot of literature ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
14 May 2009
Too many turbines, too ugly and not as green as they think
West Cumbrian people whose homes look out on to the Solway Firth have reacted with fury to news that yet more wind turbines are planned there.
Their response follows news that Energy company E.on wants to build between 70 and 100 turbines off the West Cumbrian coast.
The wind farm would cover an area almost twice the size of its Robin Rigg site and would generate enough energy to power 195,000 homes.
Lonsdale Armstrong, 83, of Salterbeck Road, Workington, said: “The wind turbines ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
14 May 2009
Firefighters respond to wind turbine fire in Mahanoy Township
Firefighters responded to a report of a turbine fire at the first commercial-size wind farm in Schuylkill County, Locust Ridge I in Mahanoy Township, Thursday afternoon, according to reports ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
15 May 2009
Report of wind turbine fire draws crews
BOWMANS — Firefighters responded to a report of a wind turbine fire at the first commercial-size wind farm in Schuylkill County, Locust Ridge I in Mahanoy Township, Thursday afternoon, according to reports ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Wisconsin
17 May 2009
Wind turbines are like torture
I live in the Forward wind project by Invenergy in Fond du Lac County, Wis. I feel the need to respond to Mr. Luebke’s letter of April 29. He stated that in Wisconsin “where most every local governing body has authority over turbines but with little if any expertise.”
In the case of the Town of Union, 318 pages of scientific information were presented to arrive at safe setbacks. In the case of the Public Service Commission using the state’s ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Ontario
17 May 2009
An accurate report should have substance behind the glossy covers
I am compelled to respond to Kevin O’Kane’s letter to the editor that appeared in a recent issue of this paper.
Mr. O’Kane writes that “if she (Cheryl Gallant) is concerned about relative health issues she should consult the 2008 Information Report issued by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent: “The Health Impact of Wind Turbines, A Review of White, Grey and Published Literature.”
Mr. O’Kane obviously believes that this document is an authoritative report. And that’s where his argument falls apart. Let me ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Zealand
17 May 2009
Contact seeks breather on Waikato wind farm
Contact Energy is seeking a 12-month adjournment to an inquiry into its proposed 180-turbine wind farm on Waikato’s west coast.
It will request the break at a board of inquiry meeting tomorrow, to allow it to carry out more research, geotechnical assessments and surveying work for the project south of Port Waikato, the Waikato Times reported.
Contact’s decision was “a significant victory” for opponents as it showed the project was “underdone and undercooked,” said Te Akau farmer Ross Townshend.
A 12-month adjournment gave ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Nevada
17 May 2009
NV lawmakers seek renewable energy revenue-sharing law
In a speech given at the Nevada Legislature in April, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he would propose renewable energy legislation that would help bring revenue back to the states and counties where the projects are built.
On Tuesday, Ensign, along with Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and representatives Dean Heller, R-Nev., Dina Titus, D-Nev., and Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., introduced the Renewable Energy Permitting Act in Congress.
This act would affect future solar and wind energy projects in Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona and California.
Ensign’s ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Rhode Island
17 May 2009
Aeronautica Wind Power eyeing Quonset for turbine plant
A Plymouth, Mass., “green” energy company is considering building a facility in Rhode Island to manufacture wind turbines.
Aeronautica Wind Power has twice visited the state-owned Quonset Business Park, in North Kingstown, to look at a 40,000-square-foot space for a proposed plant, according to Steven J. King, managing director of the Quonset Development Corporation.
“This fits in with our mission to create an alternative energy hub in Quonset,” King said.
Aeronautica has also looked at two other undisclosed sites in Rhode Island among ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.K.
17 May 2009
Tax rise angers energy groups
The wind industry has accused the government of “sabotage” over a proposed fourfold tax increase that could lead to the scrapping of up to half Britain’s 150 onshore projects.
The hike has infuriated energy groups, which are warning of a wholesale retreat ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Vermont
18 May 2009
Wind turbines and the environment
“Our physical environment is the sum of everything around us” is the opening sentence of Executive Order 7, authored by Gov. Deane Davis exactly 40 years ago — May 14, 1969. This order established the Governor’s Commission on Environmental Control, which became known as the Gibb commission, which provided the framework for Act 250.
The concern was that the “magnitude of (the) changes taking place in Vermont” and the “unplanned growth and development” required the enactment “into law a set of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Zealand
18 May 2009
Bid to delay wind farm 'an abuse of process'
Contact under attack for seeking to defer fast-track hearing
An opponent of Contact Energy’s plan to build a $1 billion wind farm in Waikato says the company has abused the planning process by calling for a delay to a fast-track hearing.
The power company yesterday asked the board of inquiry to postpone the hearing on its planned 180-turbine wind farm near Raglan for at least a year so it can do more research and site work.
Contact last August welcomed the Labour ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan
18 May 2009
Resident proposes wind turbine
Planning officials soon will be considering a zoning request that would allow for construction of a commercial wind turbine generator in Bear Creek Township.
Township resident Ken Harrington is proposing to install the generator on a hilltop site at 2100 River Road. The device would be mounted on a 265-foot pole and have 130-foot blades, making its height 395 feet at full stretch. Harrington is considering several different turbine models.
Emmet County’s zoning ordinance allows commercial wind turbines to be considered as ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
18 May 2009
State officials rack up storage costs as they seek a home for wind turbines
With all this talk about wind power, it may seem tough to believe that state officials have had a difficult time finding a buyer for two wind turbines. That’s because it is tough to believe. But it’s also true.
Let’s hope that state officials are more successful with plans for a wind turbine testing center in Charlestown – which is getting an infusion of $25 million in federal stimulus funds – than they’ve been with finding ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maryland
18 May 2009
County officials, staff to discuss wind turbines
CUMBERLAND — The public has weighed in on the proposed wind turbine regulations. So have the experts. And now Allegany County Commissioners Jim Stakem, Bob Hutcheson and Dale Lewis have a decision to make.
As the dust settles ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
19 May 2009
Still no to windfarm; 'What bit of no don't you understand?' say residents
The community of Dalmellington are demanding that proposals for a windfarm be thrown out — just like the last six attempts.
Residents have fought against having the massive turbines installed previously, last time collecting over 4,500 names on a petition.
Then a public meeting was held last week to discuss Vattenfall’s “proposals to develop a windfarm” in South Kyle Forest and residents packed out the hall demanding to know ‘what part of no didn’t they understand?’
Resident Mark Gibson said: ‘Vattenfall wrote to ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
19 May 2009
Still no to windfarm: the Dalmellington challenge
Dalmellington residents have laid down a challenge for anyone to be able to prove the benefits of windfarms after taking to three energy industry experts.
If you think the figures are wrong let us know by calling 01292 267 631 or emailing editorial.aa@cfpress.co.uk.
1. What is Scotland’s target for reducing CO2 emissions?
50% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
2. What steps is the Scottish Government taking to achieve this?
Wind farms to produce electricity are overwhelmingly the largest stated means of achieving targets.
Building insulation, vehicle exhausts ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Maryland
19 May 2009
Commissioners should act to protect our standard of living
I enjoyed reading K. Darlene Park’s letter to the editor (“Bring the matter to an end and protect the citizens,” May 10 Times-News).
The commissioners have the duty to protect the standard of living of all county residents.
The Harwood residents will continue to live near the Dan’s Mountain wind energy facility. The members of the operating engineers will not be permanently employed by the construction of 400-foot wind turbines, and most (I assume not all), go home to their homes located ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Minnesota
19 May 2009
Winona turbine proposal approved
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has green-lighted a Winona County proposal to partner with the private sector to build a commercial wind turbine.
Pawlenty signed a tax-policy bill Sunday authorizing Winona County and the city of Mountain Iron, Minn., to form limited-liability companies for energy development.
Sunday’s bill signing should bolster confidence for “several” investors interested in partnering with Winona County on the turbine project, said Linda Grover, director of the county’s Economic Development Authority. Juhl Wind, the firm hired to oversee the project, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
19 May 2009
Hearing slated on planned windmills
The Fayette County commissioners will hold a public hearing next week on a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance that, if adopted, would allow the placement of wind turbines in certain zoning districts without approval ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
20 May 2009
Cohocton official wants to know why no notice for construction
First Wind officials hope to get their 125-megawatt wind power plant in Cohocton back up and running after less than five months in service, but town officials are not backing down over what they see as violations of the project’s special use permits.
Cohocton town Supervisor Jack Zigenfus announced at the town board’s meeting Monday the construction work is restarting and town officials are looking to see what will become of the project.
“Clipper Windpower, the turbine manufacturer, is conducting reinforcement work ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, West Virginia
20 May 2009
Educate yourself on wind issue
Most folks ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Taiwan
21 May 2009
Wind farm 'kills Taiwanese goats'
A large number of goats in Taiwan may have died of exhaustion because of noise ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maryland
22 May 2009
Wind turbines prohibited in Lavale
A significant part of a report this week on wind farms, was the revelation that five to seven wind turbines in the proposed Dan’s Mountain wind farm are actually in the Lavale limits. The map is different than a 1925 U.S. Geological Survey map. Wind turbines are prohibited in Lavale and this latest development could kill the plans of U.S. Wind Force as company representatives have said the project can’t move forward if any additional turbines are eliminated. During the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kansas
23 May 2009
County may expand area for wind farms
Currently, wind farms are allowed only in industrial zones in Finney County.
But the industrial zones aren’t really where Tim Hamilton and Kaleb Kentner, with Planning and Community Development, had been receiving requests ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Nova Scotia
23 May 2009
Eco group wants wind farm project suspended
BAILEYS BROOK — The Eco Awareness Society is calling on the province to suspend any development of the wind farm proposed for the Browns Mountain area.
The group wants “appropriate mitigation measures (are) in place to fully compensate residents for all loss in property value,” it said in a recent news release.
The Eco Awareness Society was recently formed by a group of county residents to protect the right to enjoy their property and to protect the environment in light ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Zealand
22 May 2009
Wind farm hearing adjourned
A board of inquiry has decided to adjourn its hearing into a $1 billion Waikato wind farm project for a year while more information is gathered. Objectors to the controversial Contact Wind and Contact Energy project north of Raglan had raised concerns about how practical the scheme was, despite it being called in by the previous Labour-led Government. Contact Energy spokesman Jonathan Hill confirmed that the board’s chairman Judge Jeffrey Smith made the determination yesterday at Contact’s request.
Waikato Times ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
24 May 2009
Viking: the impact assessment
Merlins, whimbrel and the tourism trade look set to be the biggest losers ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Connecticut
25 May 2009
It's an ill wind in Colebrook; Zoning loophole allows preliminary work for wind turbines without local debate
COLEBROOK — — Renewable energy is now an American mantra, but homeowner Stephen King has learned that a legal limbo awaits anyone who wakes up to discover that a wind farm might be going up next door.
Because of a loophole that allows zoning boards to approve test towers for wind turbines without notifying neighbors, residents near terrain favorable for wind energy could face the prospect of a major wind energy project being built in their community with limited ability to ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
News
25 May 2009
Interrumpir el sueño en su fase profunda puede provocar la pérdida de memoria
{Interrupting deep-phase dreaming can cause memory loss; scroll down ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
26 May 2009
Parker St. eyed for 240-foot windmill; Whole Foods looking to advance plans June 2
Gourmet supermarket giant Whole Foods is advancing plans to build a large wind turbine on the Gloucester waterfront to power the company’s Parker Street fish processing plant with renewable energy.
Company officials last week declined to discuss the precise size and location of a potential windmill, but confirmed that, after studying wind power for more than a year, Whole Foods is ready to introduce a concept project to the community in two weeks.
Since the beginning of May, Whole Foods has contacted ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Europe
26 May 2009
Wind farm opponents call for European moratorium
Europe should halt the construction of any more wind farms until it has further examined their impact on wildlife, landscapes and the value of nearby houses, a new anti-wind farm group said on Tuesday.
“Wind farms represent the worst-case scenario,” the European Platform Against Windfarms (EPAW) said in a letter to European Union commissioners and parliamentarians, in which it called for a moratorium on all wind projects.
“EPAW considers it unacceptable that European institutions should promote the despoiling of the European landscape ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan
27 May 2009
Bills to rise for wind power; Consumers Energy surcharges OK'd
Consumers Energy customers will begin paying more on their bills to help pay for the utility’s efforts to reach the state-mandated requirement of generating 10% of its power ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
27 May 2009
Novera loses appeal for Scottish wind farm
Scottish authorities have rejected an appeal for a new wind farm to be built by Novera Energy Ltd (NOEN. L), the renewable energy company said on Wednesday.
Novera said the rejection of the proposed three-turbine, 6 megawatt Mountboy Wind Farm in Angus, eastern Scotland, followed a public hearing.
Shares in Novera, which have gained 20 percent over the last month, fell as much as 7 percent following the statement and were down 5.4 percent at 44 pence at 1500 GMT.
Novera owns 58 sites, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Iowa
27 May 2009
Council votes against ordinance that would allow wind generators
It does not appear systems that create wind energy will be allowed in Council Bluffs.
Following a public hearing on the matter Tuesday evening, the council voted 3 to 2 against an ordinance defining wind energy that would allow private ownership of wind turbines by homeowners. Though it’s not official because there will be at least one more reading by the council, it appears their minds are made up.
Matt Walsh, Matt Schultz and Lynne Branigan voted against the plan, while Scott ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kansas
27 May 2009
County: Changes in best interest
Many of the changes Ellis County commissioners proposed to the county’s zoning regulations Tuesday were an attempt to keep the county commission out of more legal trouble.
The commission has been sued twice since 2007 regarding its approval of conditional-use permits for a cellular phone tower and Hays Wind LLC’s proposed wind project.
Commission Chairman Perry Henman and Commissioner Glenn Diehl suggested changes that will address some of the problems that led to those lawsuits.
Henman suggested requiring half-mile setbacks ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wales
28 May 2009
Fears of turbines' effect on town
Welshpool Town Council fears thousands of lorries used to carry wind turbines to a proposed site in Powys will end up destroying the town.
Protesters believe one of the routes proposed by West Coach Energy for its planned windfarm of turbines, measuring 262ft, at Cefn Coch near Llanfair Caereinion, should not be allowed.
They claim it will put the safety of residents at risk and damage the “fabric” of the historic town centre.
Read the full story in today’s Shropshire Star
Shropshire Star ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ohio
28 May 2009
Wind farm project gains support
MANSFIELD — Richland and Crawford County officials voiced concerns but offered support for a future wind farm during Wednesday’s meeting with an alternative energy company.
David Hettich, vice president of business development with Gary Energetics (of Denver, Colo.), and colleagues sought comments regarding Phase 1 of the wind project.
“Why are we here? We need new sources of energy,” Hettich said in a conference room at the Braintree Center for Business Innovation. “This is a very large project, and we need public ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
28 May 2009
Turbines go up despite objections
Wind farm protestors watched helplessly this week as work began to erect 11 wind turbines on land between Portpatrick and Stranraer.
The 100-metre high turbines being built on hilly farmland has proven, claimed one campaigner this week, that no amount of public outcry can halt such a development.
Peter McColm who lives just outside the town and has a prominent view of the turbines said this week: “Yes, they held a consultation and we were all very well informed but what ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
28 May 2009
Ministers reject wind farm appeal; Corlarach Hill plans dismissed after inquiry
Plans for a 14-turbine wind farm on Corlarach Hill in Cowal, directly facing Rothesay Bay, have been rejected by Scottish ministers.
An appeal by West Coast Energy Ltd against Argyll and Bute Council’s refusal of the plans was dismissed after ministers decided that the project did not meet established guidelines set out by environmental legislation.
News of the decision, which was announced on Thursday, will delight those who have opposed the construction of the wind farm, and who voiced their concerns ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Scotland
28 May 2009
Only one chance to object
Now that the Shetland wind farm planning application has been lodged it is vitally important that folk understand two key issues.
Firstly, apart ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
29 May 2009
Maine Medical Association committee to draft wind power resolution
The Maine Medical Association Public Health Committee has decided to take a closer look at the potential health effects of wind turbines.
Last week the Public Health Committee formed a subcommittee to draft a resolution that will focus on four key points:
Encourage the development of government energy policy and improved generation methods that mitigate direct and indirect health effects;
Discourage the granting of waivers by the Maine DEP regarding noise and light effects;
Assist in the development and encourage the use of a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
29 May 2009
Wind farm bids 'morally wrong'
Wind farm developers in the Far North are being accused of exploiting the planning system at the taxpayers’ expense.
The responses of companies after councillors turned down schemes near Auckengill and at Lieurary have come under fire from Caithness Windfarm Information Forum (CWIF).
According to the protest group, RWE npower renewables and Scotrenewables are cocking a snook at the democratic process.
While acknowledging both have acted within the rules, spokesman Stuart Young yesterday maintained their actions are “morally wrong”. And he claimed it ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
29 May 2009
Planners opposing wind siting bill; Request hearings "west of the Connecticut River"
HAWLEY — Planning Board member Lloyd Crawford doesn’t like what he’s learned about the terms of the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act currently on Beacon Hill under consideration by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
“What concerns me, and what I think will be of most concern to others in the hilltowns, is that the legislation proposes to allow the Energy Facility Siting Board to trump local zoning bylaws that have been developed, often after extensive local debate,” Crawford ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Blogs, Massachusetts
29 May 2009
Bill could create fair winds for turbine projects in Massachusetts
The Patrick administration’s long-term goal to get hundreds of wind towers built in the state could become a whole lot easier if a fast-track permitting bill that the administration is pushing on Beacon Hill becomes law.
The bill could essentially give the administration the power to override local authorities for projects slated for certain areas. The administration would pick these designated areas that would be appropriate for wind turbines, factoring in wind strength and the possible impact on the surroundings.
...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Zealand
29 May 2009
Upland's future in hands of key members
Upland Landscape Protection Society trustee Ewan Carr hopes the organisation can “rise from the ashes” despite it being placed into liquidation.
Mr Carr told the Otago Daily Times he hoped the incorporated society could be taken out of liquidation, depending on the generosity of members.
“It may be that funds can be made available to the society by some members. I would like to think the society can be taken out of liquidation, but that will be in the hands of three ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
29 May 2009
Wind turbines: bad neighbors
(Members of Save God’s Country, SGC, in Potter County have submitted the following account, from a citizens’ group known as Better Plan, Wisconsin. It is reprinted in The Endeavor News with permission, along with this note from SGC spokesman Art Kear: “Potter County residents of Ulysses, Hector, Allegany, Sweden, Homer, Ulysses and Hebron townships may not be aware that developers have been successfully pressuring township supervisors to allow industrial wind turbines to be built even closer to their homes than ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 May 2009
Controversial wind farm plan on the agenda
Controversial plans to erect wind turbines in an area that is already the subject of a public inquiry will go before councillors next week.
The plans, submitted by npower renewables, are for eight turbines close to Great Bavington, north of Hexham, in an area that is already awaiting the result of a triple inquiry into proposals to erect more than 50 turbines.
The application, first submitted late last year, has caused anger among residents, and is also opposed by Bavington, Birtley ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
30 May 2009
Proposal for Angus windfarm is rejected; Campaigners' delight as government reporter refuses application for 11-turbine scheme
Campaigners in Angus are claiming victory after a wind farm development in the county was turned down.
An 11-turbine development had been planned for Montreathmont Moor, about three miles from Brechin, but the application has been refused by a Scottish Government reporter.
A public inquiry was held at Montrose between last November and February to consider the scheme.
Development company Wind Prospect appealed Angus Council’s failure to consider the application within prescribed time limits.
The turbines would have had a maximum blade height of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wales
30 May 2009
Wind farm campaigners''kept in the dark' claim
Wind farm campaigners say they are being kept in the dark about plans for almost 100 wind turbines that will tower hundreds of feet in the sky.
Bob Slater, of the Glyncorrwg Action Group, said there was widespread concern in the area about Nuon Renewables’ proposals for 96 475ft turbines.
He added that residents weren’t happy with the way they had been consulted over the planned Pen y Cymoedd wind farm in the Afan Valley. It could see scores of turbines installed ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
30 May 2009
Second wind farm proposal
Investigations are being conducted as to the suitability for a wind farm at a second plot of land south of St Andrews.
West Coast Energy has confirmed that it is carrying out surveys at South Kinaldy, less than four miles from where St Andrews University is considering erecting turbines at Upper Kenly.
Both West Coast Energy and the university have now submitted planning applications seeking permission for the erection of anemometer masts which will be used to assess wind speed.
Welsh firm West ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
California
30 May 2009
Edison sees difficulty ramping up use of renewable energy
Edison International, owner of California’s largest electric utility, said it will be difficult to keep ramping up use of renewable energy as the latest goal set by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stretches limits on the ability to manage such power sources.
“It’s a goal we should be behind,” Chief Executive Officer Ted Craver said today in an interview in New York. “The issue isn’t to try to kill it or try to knock it out of the box, but to try to ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Minnesota
30 May 2009
Company considers Wilkin County wind farm
A community-based wind development company has agreed to do a feasibility study for a wind farm in Wilkin County.
Juhl Wind, Inc., announced Tuesday it has entered into a study agreement with the county on a 6 megawatt community wind farm. The project, called Sunny Side, would incorporate seven local farmer/owner partners and will be located about six miles southeast of Breckenridge.
Bruce Poppel, environmental officer for Wilkin County, said the company had been in contact with him but there’s no news ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Texas
30 May 2009
County expedites Gamesa wind farm proposal
Gamesa Energy asked Young County to expedite its proposal to put a wind farm in the county, with a representative saying getting a tax abatement in place quickly could greatly benefit the school districts.
Colin Kelly with Gamesa told commissioners the Texas Legislature was considering a bill that would cap the amount of revenue school districts can get due to wind farms. If the bill was passed and signed into law, it would go into effect Sept. 1. Kelly explained that ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wales
30 May 2009
Wind farm protesters fear tourism threat
A multi-million pound scheme to promote tourism in the South Wales Valleys will be undermined if plans for two new wind farms get the go-ahead, campaigners claim.
Plans for the wind farms straddling the Ogmore and Rhondda Valleys are due to go before councillors in July, when protesters will make their feelings known by marching on the council offices in Bridgend.
The campaign group South Wales Alternatives To Turbines (SWATT) has several objections to the proposals and fears villages like Glynogwr, Gilfach ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
30 May 2009
Wind turbine farm proposed
A farm of 20 to 30 commercial wind turbines set upon three ridges has been proposed for Bethlehem Water Authority watershed lands in Penn Forest Township.
Delsea Energy, LLC of Toms River, N. J., has approached the Bethlehem Authority to place up to 30 wind turbines, capable of producing 106,000 megawatt hours annually, which is enough to power 10,587 homes.
“We are in the early stages of discussion with the Bethlehem Water Authority to site some windmills on their property in Penn Forest ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Greece
30 May 2009
Red tape, protests slow wind power projects
Bureaucracy and public opposition are thwarting wind energy projects and sending would-be investors to less developed countries that have taken bolder steps to harness this clean technology, experts have told Kathimerini.
“Wind energy is moving at a snail’s pace due to the lack of political will,” said Dimitris Ibrahim of Greenpeace, noting that less than 1,000 megawatts per year are produced via wind, as compared to a target of 3,500 MW by 2010. According to Yiannis Tsipouridis, president of the Hellenic ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New York
30 May 2009
Council backs turbine permit plan
In his May 21 commentary, “Bureaucracy would hold back Adirondack wind power,” attorney Bernard Melewski criticized the Adirondack Park Agency for being too strict in its defense of the park’s scenic beauty. Since the newspaper identified Melewski as a former Adirondack Council employee, we must make it clear that the council does not share his opinion.
The APA is actually loosening its restrictions on wind turbines and turbine towers for homeowners and small businesses. We support its creation of a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Oregon
30 May 2009
Turbines a disgrace
The article on proposed wind power turbines in the Pueblo Mountain area has left me enraged (”Chase for wind turns to public lands,” May 24).
As an avid outdoorsman and adventurer, I have sought solitude and self-reliance in Oregon’s outback. There is nowhere else in the United States that you can drive for eight hours through rugged secondary roads, rough gravel roads and escape with little or no services available.
The Oregonian’s Terry Richards writes every year of the remoteness of this ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Connecticut
30 May 2009
Pomfret School testing for wind power; 131-foot tower will collect data for 12 months
Pomfret, Conn. — For years, students and faculty at The Pomfret School have insisted their hilltop campus is windy year-round.
Now they could get some data to back up their claims. A 40-meter, or 131-foot, tall pole was installed last week on the campus’ back quad to measure wind conditions for the next year.
“As a person who lives here and is on campus all the time, it seems like it’s really windy,” said Arthur Diaz, the school’s chief financial officer. “But ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
30 May 2009
Pathway of power worries DANC; Agency says plan to follow rail corridor brings water-line concerns
Several hurdles remain regarding the proposed St. Lawrence and Cape Vincent wind farms and their future connection to the regional electrical system.
One of them is a route to the grid. Acciona Energy North America, developer of St. Lawrence Wind Farm, has taken the lead on a possible route that would follow the abandoned New York Central Railroad corridor. But that corridor also contains the regional water line operated by the Development Authority of the North Country.
The line takes water from ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Editorials, Massachusetts
30 May 2009
End of home rule?
First, the state Energy Facilities Siting Board approved a bundle of permits for the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm, overruling local concerns raised by Cape towns and the Cape Cod Commission.
Opponents of the industrial-sized project called the board’s decision a dangerous precedent that could erode local authority.
Now a proposed bill that would streamline the permitting process for land-based wind turbines may give the state veto power over local zoning regulations.
Paul Niedzwiecki, executive director of the Cape Cod Commission, said the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wales
30 May 2009
Biomass plant and wind farm plan
Plans are to be submitted for a £100m wood biomass plant and wind farm at Llangefni on Anglesey.
The combined power would produce enough electricity for 50,000 homes, according to Irish company EcoPellets Ltd.
The company wants to build the plant in the town on the 55-acre site of the former Eastman Peboc factory.
Anglesey council leader Clive McGregor said any job opportunities were to be welcomed, but the plant would need planning permission first.
The County Cork-based company said it was working with ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^