^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Oregon
31 May 2009
Wind turbine scourge
Though I was pleased to read your article on the destructive possibilities of wind turbines, the upshot of your report on wind energy is that paying mind to the sage grouse and following the state permitting process will lead to what will be known as the otherwise “ethical” expansion of the wind turbine industry (”Chase for wind turns to public lands,” May 24).
We have set such a low standard for the technologies we strap to the earth to extract fuels ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Indiana, News
31 May 2009
Kansas company poised to build turbines in Porter, La Porte counties
A suburban Kansas City, Kan.-based energy company is forming leases with Porter and La Porte County landowners to build turbines and harvest electricity generated ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Dakota
01 Jun 2009
North Dakota regulators mulling wind turbine setback rules
North Dakota regulators are considering whether to set a minimum distance between a wind tower and someone`s home.
Now the Public Service Commission requires at least 1,400 feet between a tower and an occupied dwelling. It`s meant to protect the property owner ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Idaho, U.S.
03 Jun 2009
Birds, bunnies and power; Sensitive species butt heads with energy needs in the battle for sagebrush
Somewhere, out in the Lemhi Basin of northern Central Idaho, a small rabbit is nestled in its burrow beneath the gnarled and twisting sagebrush. In Boise, someone is turning on the air conditioning on a hot summer day. The two events hardly seem linked, but that little high desert bunny might just be the next touchstone in the battle to balance the needs of industry and development and Mother Nature.
Decades ago, the thousands of square miles of sagebrush ecosystem in ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
03 Jun 2009
Dreams of dollars blown away: Kittery wind turbine turns out to be an underperformer
KITTERY, Maine — Eight months after installing a 50 kilowatt wind turbine on top of a hill at the Kittery Waste Transfer Station town officials have chosen to call it quits on the alternative energy project due to its “underperformance.”
Town Manager Jon Carter announced Tuesday the town will look to sell the turbine back to the manufacturer, Entegrity Wind Systems, and will in turn recoup the $191,028 in funds used for the turbine, the tower and installation costs.
Having recently received ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
West Virginia
03 Jun 2009
WVa court to hear arguments in wind farm case
The state Supreme Court is being asked to overturn the approval of a wind farm development in Barbour and Randolph counties.
A group called the Laurel Mountain Preservation Association is appealing a March 17 decision by the state Public Service Commission that awarded a siting certificate for the proposed 65-turbine development.
The group argues the PSC should have reopened the case to consider additional information.
AES Laurel Mountain is proposing to spend $250 million to build the wind farm across a three-mile ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
03 Jun 2009
SSSE comes up with alternative route for windfarm access; Change follows local protest
An alternative route to the proposed windfarm at Gordonbush in Sutherland has now been proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
A planning application was submitted to Highland Council for an alternative access route via Kilbraur windfarm after pressure ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan
03 Jun 2009
Seven Allegan County townships rated high for wind power potential
Seven western Allegan County townships were identified Tuesday by a state panel’s study among four regions in Michigan with the best potential for harvesting wind energy.
The preliminary report by Michigan State University’s Land Policy Institute and Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants Inc. for the Wind Energy Resource Zone Board identified Casco, Clyde, Fillmore, Ganges, Laketown, Lee and Manlius townships as having prime wind-energy possibilities.
Saugatuck, Douglas, Saugatuck Township and Fennville were not included because of development and urbanization in those locales.
The report ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
03 Jun 2009
MEP: 'Rape' of Dava about greed
The “rape” of Dava Moor has been prompted purely by money-hungry power companies and landowners, a leading MEP has claimed.
Scots Tory MEP Struan Stevenson met with anti-windfarm protestors at the moor on Thursday for an update on planning issues.
He warned that if consent is granted to any of the six windfarms proposed by the moor, it will destroy a vast peat bog which is up to four metres deep and over 2,000-years-old.
The MEP reiterated his argument that construction work would ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts, Press releases
03 Jun 2009
Patrick Administration Solicits Feedback on Wind Power Potential for State-owned Lands
Public listening sessions planned for Cape Cod and the Berkshires
WHAT:
Officials of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and local legislators will host two public listening sessions to receive feedback on the potential for wind power development on state-owned lands. Satisfying in part a mandate of the Green Jobs Act of 2008 to investigate the Commonwealth’s clean energy sector, a recent study of the “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Potential at State-Owned Facilities” concluded that there ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
British Columbia
02 Jun 2009
GE makes move into B. C. wind power
General Electric Co. is set to buy its first wind power project in Canada, another sign the global recession hasn’t quashed interest in the fast-growing renewable energy sector.
GE, through its energy financial services arm, struck a tentative deal to take over a partly completed, 145-megawatt wind project in northeastern British Columbia. The deal is with upstart EarthFirst Inc., which is under court protection ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
04 Jun 2009
Windfarm comments deadline extended by 28 days
Campaigners have won their fight for more time to comment on the controversial Viking windfarm planning application.
The Viking Energy Partnership has agreed on Thursday afternoon to double the period by 28 days, setting a new deadline of 28th July.
The extension was expected following complaints to the Scottish Government that the original 30th June cut-off point for public comments was unfair for such a large and controversial project.
Earlier this week Shetland’s MP Alistair Carmichael and MSP Tavish Scott backed a call ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan
04 Jun 2009
Solutions sought for turbine noise
There was standing room only at Wednesday’s Huron County Planning Commission meeting, where officials discussed plans to address a series of noise complaints the county has received in recent months regarding the Michigan Wind 1 development in Ubly.
Huron County Building and Zoning Director Russ Lundberg said the county has received a total of four complaints that cite problems residents have experienced as a result of the Michigan Wind 1 development in Ubly. Rather than turn the session into a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Idaho, Letters
04 Jun 2009
Whitten: Wind turbine ordinance
In addition to protecting the public health, liability is a good reason to add the following language to the County’s wind turbine ordinance: “Residential property shall not receive a noise level of greater than 50 dBC between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and 40 dBC between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. No wind turbine or group of turbines shall be located so as to cause an exceedance of the pre-construction/operation background sound levels by ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
04 Jun 2009
Concern over 'desecration of graves' at wind turbine site
A petition is being circulated around the world opposing plans to erect three turbines on an area north of Barvas where it is believed the last battle between Lewis clans took place.
It is claimed the Morrisons and the Macaulays were engaged in battle on the moorland at Druim nan Carnan around 1654 and members of the Clans are up in arms that the area could be desecrated with the erection of a wind turbine.
Councillors have unanimously approved an application ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England, U.K.
04 Jun 2009
Jail for turbine violation dropped
Yachtsmen who sailed into a wind turbine farm would have faced huge fines and even jail if the wind-power company had its way. But thanks to a gallant fight by the RYA the turbine firm has come to its senses.
The first application to introduce a 50 metre ‘Safety Zone’ around offshore wind farm turbines by Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Ltd (GGOWL) was been met by opposition ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
05 Jun 2009
Wolves in green suits
In the minutes of the September 2008 meeting of the Wellesley Light and Power Company Board, it is explained how a private power company located in one of the wealthiest communities in the commonwealth has agreed on the plans of Minuteman Wind LLC, a wind facility developer, as presented by president Don McCauley.
This move was to exploit the pristine landscape and the economy of one of the poorest communities, Savoy, in the same commonwealth. The aim of Minuteman Wind is ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
05 Jun 2009
Follow the rules in Savoy — if you can find them
As a property owner in neighboring Hawley who will be greatly impacted by Minuteman Wind’s 425-foot swooshing wind turbines, I agree with Mr. Butch Malloy and Joseph Bettis ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
07 Jun 2009
Deciding to do the right thing
PONTIAC — Judy Campbell, the Livingston County Board member who distributed a survey form in late May involving a proposed wind farm, was scheduled to meet with some area postmasters on Friday afternoon to discuss making amends for the manner in which deliveries of some of the questionnaires occurred.
Campbell distributed 46 copies of the survey to rural residents in southern Broughton and northern Sullivan townships in Livingston County. The surveys concern a proposed K-4 wind tower ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
07 Jun 2009
Invenergy says it works to address complaints
SHELDON — Invenergy officials say they encourage people to contact them with turbine problems.
The company has a detailed complaint resolution process which it made available Thursday to The Daily News. It also has a 24-hour telephone hotline for reporting turbine issues.
“We encourage people if they have a concern that they should call that number, and we check it daily,” said Project Manager Eric Miller. “We keep a log of who calls.”
The company’s home office project manager in Chicago will call ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
07 Jun 2009
Wind picks up speed; Advocates looking for turbine sites
Communities studying possible sites for wind power, shaping bylaws
In line with Governor Deval Patrick’s goal to ramp up the state’s production of energy ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Minnesota
08 Jun 2009
Suzlon plans 160 employee layoffs; Pipestone business to eliminate half its workforce
The community of Pipestone was shaken Friday by the news that wind power company Suzlon planned to lay off half the workforce at its Pipestone turbine blade plant.
According to a letter sent to the City of Pipestone, Suzlon anticipates the elimination of 70 positions by Aug. 2 and will likely cut another 90 positions by the end of September.
“I think the community as a whole sees it as a crushing blow, so to speak,” said Laurie Ness, mayor of Pipestone.
The ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
08 Jun 2009
IDA to review proposed PILOTs for wind farms
The board of directors of the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency is expected to review a proposed agency policy Tuesday that will establish how much industrial-scale wind farms must pay to local taxing authorities during their incentive periods.
The IDA provides tax exemptions for 10 to 15 years, along with other incentives, to developers seeking assistance and conduit loans. The new Uniform Tax Exemption Policy would affect only wind energy projects and would establish how wind power developers’ payments-in-lieu-of- taxes (PILOTs) ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
08 Jun 2009
Wind farm discussion on the table — Future windfarms in La Salle, Livingston counties discussed
Vision Energy”s K-4 Wind Farm, with construction to begin this year, is projected to employ 150-200 people ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
09 Jun 2009
Wind turbine opposition reaches legislature
Opposition to wind turbines in Pigeon Bay has even reached the Ontario legislature.
Last week MPP Bruce Crozier presented a petition signed by “thousands” of area residents opposed to any wind generating projects in the bay.
And despite the mounting pressure on the government, the company behind the proposal says it will be answering all the questions its detractors have raised.
SouthPoint Wind recently issued a statement saying it is following all the guidelines of government agencies for the offshore project.
In 2008 SouthPoint ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
09 Jun 2009
Proposed Nauset turbine concerns neighbors
As the owner of a home in the National Seashore in Eastham, close to the Nauset Regional High School, I have joined neighbors, concerned parents, part-time homeowners, pet owners and property owners who feel our safety and health are being threatened by the proposed turbine for the high school.
We have been told by the town that the school will be required to meet town zoning for a proposed 343-foot turbine — not a 75-foot turbine — as only then will ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New York
09 Jun 2009
Despite what industry salesmen say, wind is not the future
“Wind is not the future,” said Professor Jack Steinberger, a Nobel prize-winning scientist, at the 5/26/09 symposium of Nobel laureates at the Royal Society in Europe. Steinberger said wind represented an illusory technology — a cul-de-sac that would prove uneconomic and a waste of resources in the battle against climate change. (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6368156.ece) This in contrast to the 5/16/09 Daily News article, “The future is now,” which contained more of the same false and misleading sales claims typical of industrial wind ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
09 Jun 2009
Tarporley Parish Councillors say no to wind farm plans
Tarporley Parish Council has said “no” to plans to build five large wind turbines on a farm in Rushton.
Councillors voted unanimously to object to the plans arguing the turbines would ruin the Cheshire countryside.
Truro-based firm Cornwall Light and Power (CL&P) is planning to build five 125 metre wind turbines on land at Oxheys Farm, Rushton.
The firm has taken over the discontinued project ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
10 Jun 2009
Trouble at the mills
Plans for one of Britain’s biggest on-shore wind turbines at the Dewlay factory near Garstang have hit a hitch.
The Kirkland-based cheese firm hopes to start work on the 127 metres high turbine later this year and have it operational by Spring 2010.
But Dewlay and its backers, Wind Direct of Lancaster, which obtained planning permission after a recent appeal — now say they are unhappy with one of the detailed conditions which limits noise levels emanating ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan
11 Jun 2009
Wind turbine noise is rattling some residents in Michigan's Thumb
Wind turbines are creating some bad buzz in Michigan’s Thumb.
The big blades have been welcomed by many, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, as they’ve gone up in the farm fields of Huron County in recent years.
But a handful of people who live near some of the 46 turbines at a wind park in Bingham and Sheridan townships are now complaining about ongoing noise and rumble ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Kansas
12 Jun 2009
Cracks appear in Flat Ridge turbines
Just three months after starting electrical production, the blades on the wind turbines at the Flat Ridge Wind Farm in Barber County are developing small surface cracks.
Clipper Windpower of Carpinteria, Calif. provides the wind turbines that are produced by another manufacturer. The problem was discovered at another Clipper project site, said Mary Gates, director of global communications for Clipper Windpower.
The cracks are easily repairable and do not pose a safety issue, Gates said.
The cracks are a result of a manufacturing ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Nebraska
12 Jun 2009
NPPD narrows list for potential wind farm sites near Petersburg and Broken Bow
Nebraska Public Power District has narrowed the list of potential sites under consideration for wind generation development near the communities of Petersburg and Broken Bow, Neb. The effort is part of NPPD’s plan to meet a strategic goal of generating 10 percent of its energy ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Ontario
14 Jun 2009
A scenic storm, indeed
It’s a sad day when Ontario’s Environment Minister trivializes the preservation of landscapes by declaring that renewable energy development won’t slow down “just to preserve scenic views” (Blowing Up A Storm — June 11). John Gerretsen should visit localsknow.ca — the website launched by the Canadian Tourism Commission to promote travel across Canada. According to the federal government, tourism generates more wealth in Canada than agriculture, fisheries and forestry combined.
Locals know these “scenic views” aren’t two-dimensional vistas seen on a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
14 Jun 2009
Tension over turbines is escalating in Hammond
Both sides of wind issue say community divided; sides experience sign vandalism, threatening phone call
HAMMOND — Tensions are rising between those who support wind turbines in the town and those who do not, with at least one threatening phone call made and several signs vandalized.
“It just seems we’re all caught up in this whirlwind,” said Del C. Hamilton, a member of Concerned Residents of Hammond, a grass-roots organization opposed to wind turbines.
The opposing group acknowledges the division.
“It’s a big ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Hawaii
14 Jun 2009
Projects on a hiatus due to scarce funds
After large real estate projects, electricity generation is the biggest consumer of capital among private businesses in Maui County.
There are several costly projects pending, and while some developers say even today money will be available, the closer the project, the further off the lenders seem to be.
Money problems have stalled two projects being pursued by Kent Smith and his partner, Hilton Unemori — a biomass generator at Hamakua on the Big Island that was to have been fueled by eucalyptus ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
California
14 Jun 2009
Report finds Brisbane Baylands not suitable for wind-generated electricity
BRISBANE — Residents who hoped that the Baylands would be suited for generating electricity ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oregon
15 Jun 2009
Council learns about Helix Wind Project
Members of the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council learned all about the proposed Helix Wind Power Facility — a 102-megawatt wind farm ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Canada, U.S.
16 Jun 2009
Companies reconnect Edison's dream of direct current transmission
A billion-dollar transmission line is being planned to deliver hydroelectric power ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
West Virginia
17 Jun 2009
MCDA lends support to wind turbines
KEYSER — By a majority vote of board members, the Mineral County Development Authority will support the US WindForce Pinnacle project of 23 turbines and issue a letter to the West Virginia Public Service Commission confirming the approval.
In addition, a policy statement was unanimously passed during the regular Tuesday morning meeting of the development agency dealing with continued support of the growth of green industries within the county. Those industries would include wind, geothermal, solar, hydroelectric, and other energy-generating alternatives.
Four ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
17 Jun 2009
Monhegan Island residents updated on potential wind power project
Monhegan residents discussed the possible construction of one wind turbine at a special town meeting convened by the Monhegan Plantation Power District (MPPD) on May 28.
Around 90 islanders filled the Noveltoo café and heard Dr. George Hart, Jr., chief technical officer of the Ocean Energy Institute, Dr. George Baker, vice-president of Community Wind at the Island Institute, and Dr. Richard Podolsky, senior ecologist with Monhegan Wind avian studies, discuss the requirements and implications of developing wind power on Monhegan.
The meeting ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
18 Jun 2009
'Green' act leaves councillors unsure about their role
Although Ontario municipalities are still learning the details regarding their role in future ‘green energy’ projects throughout the province, Scugog councillors have commented to the province on the potential impact to rural lands ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.K.
19 Jun 2009
UK's National Grid outlines power future
Electric cars, smart meters and new ways to store energy can help balance power supply and demand by 2020 when Britain will rely more heavily on wind farms and nuclear plants, Britain’s grid operator said on Friday.
National Grid (NG. L) said in a report that extra back-up for variable wind power was not the only solution and suggested that finding ways to get consumers to reduce demand can play an important role in balancing electricity supply and demand in coming years.
Britain ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
19 Jun 2009
Wind bylaw front and center
COHASSET — Should the town’s wind turbine bylaw stay in place or take a hiatus?
That’s the question that will take center stage at next Thursday’s citizen petition-called Special Town Meeting.
On the heels of a highly controversial wind turbine project application—the first under the wind energy conversion facility bylaw—a group of residents feel the bylaw needs revision. In order to revise the bylaw properly, the proponents are proposing a “moratorium” be ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Spain
19 Jun 2009
Parques eólicos paralizados
{Wind energy parks paralyzed}
El Parlamento vasco instó ayer al Gobierno a que suspenda la tramitación de los parques eólicos y miniparques que se encuentran actualmente en curso hasta que se conozcan las conclusiones de la revisión del segundo Plan Territorial Sectorial. Todos los grupos acordaron una enmienda transaccional a partir de una proposición no de ley presentada por Aralar.
El Ejecutivo había asumido ya que debía acometer un cambio profundo en el plan de energía eólica y la decisión del Parlamento ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Hampshire
19 Jun 2009
Limits on Coos grid dims the future of Laidlaw's Berlin biomass plant
Engineers are looking closely at the power grid in northern New Hampshire to see if it can support more electricity production.
The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee approved the Noble wind energy park last week.
And the park’s opponents say they have little hope to stop its construction.
This development could put new limitations on other proposed renewable energy projects in the North Country.
NHPR’s Phil Sletten has more.
Berlin residents have been engaged in a vigorous debate over a proposed large biomass energy plant ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
19 Jun 2009
Group discusses lawsuit options
DeKALB — A group of about three dozen residents likely will file a lawsuit to appeal the DeKalb County Board’s decision to grant a permit to an energy company to build a wind farm in the county, an attorney representing the group said.
“I view it as highly likely we will be appealing,” Rick Porter, an attorney for the anti-wind farm group Citizens for Open Government, said Thursday afternoon.
The county board approved the special-use permit Wednesday. Porter said his clients have ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Vermont
20 Jun 2009
Community Wind scales back proposed project
(Host) Vermont Community Wind says it’s scaling back plans on a proposed 80 Megawatt wind farm west of Rutland.
Project developers say they’re eliminating 15 of 60 potential turbine sites, which they hope will appease growing opposition to the project.
VPR’s Nina Keck has more.
(Keck) Jeff Wennberg is community outreach director for Vermont Community Wind, the Charlotte-based company that’s behind the project.
(Wennberg) “The message that we’ve heard everywhere we’ve gone is that the project is just out of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
20 Jun 2009
Residents vote unanimously against wind turbines
Angry residents in a North Lincolnshire village have voted unanimously to oppose the building of a wind farm at Saxby Wold, amid fears of sleepless nights.
NWE npower hopes to build 18, 125-metre tall turbines on land between the A15 and the low wold villages.
The developers claim the site is ideal but the controversial plan has met with stiff opposition ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wisconsin
20 Jun 2009
Water woes, wind turbines threatening Horicon refuge, report says
Nearby wind turbines, declining water quality and decreasing water levels at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Wisconsin earned the popular birders’ destination the dubious distinction of being ranked the third most imperiled refuge in the nation, according to a list compiled by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.
Released every year and based on interviews with refuge staff, the list ranks the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and the Hawaii Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex as the first and ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Indiana
20 Jun 2009
Wind farm experts suggest Boone prepare
LEBANON — Dozens of “giant white ghosts” could arise ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Australia
22 Jun 2009
Windfarm developer sorry over lack of consultation
The company behind a proposal to build a multi-million dollar wind farm on the New South Wales Monaro admits it has been negligent by not consulting the shire council.
The Cooma-Monaro Mayor, Vin Good says C-B-D Energy Limited hasn’t made contact about its Shannons Flat wind farm project.
The company’s Managing Director, Gerry McGowan says it will meet with council at Cooma today to discuss the 20-turbine proposal.
He says he cannot reveal the exact location of the 50 megawatt wind farm as ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
22 Jun 2009
Newburyport resident seeks responsible siting of windmills
Lifelong Newburyport resident Patty Spalding is trying to get the attention of the Massachusetts legislature as it considers an amendment to the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act.
Currently in committee, Senate bill No. 1504 (House bill 3065), would among other things establish a full-time position to provide technical assistance to communities on the siting of wind energy facilities.
The bill, which is being pushed through as an emergency, relates to electricity-generating facilities powered by wind energy that generate more than five megawatts of power.
According to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
23 Jun 2009
New study disputes Cape noise levels
CAPE VINCENT — The background noise in the town is not as loud as studies in two wind developers’ statements say, according to a new study commissioned by the Wind Power Ethics Group.
But the developers stand by their studies.
The new study was done by Paul D. Schomer of Schomer & Associates Inc., Champaign, Ill. Mr. Schomer is chairman of the International Organization for Standardization working group on environmental noise and chairman of the American National Standards committee on noise, among ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Albania
23 Jun 2009
Albania approves controversial wind farm
A few weeks ahead of crucial elections in Albania, the government has quietly approved the construction of Europe’s potentially biggest onshore wind-farm, a project that environmentalist warn could wreak havoc on the unspoiled coastline and others say could be a breach of law.
The government has transferred more than 97 hectares of land to Italy’s Moncada Energy Group including a one kilometre buffer zone through which its Albanian subsidiary, Enpower Albania, aims to build a 500-megawatt wind farm in the country’s ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Vermont
23 Jun 2009
Wind farm could have impact on Ira town plan
IRA — An impending development proposal has stirred up strong interest in the rewrite of the town plan.
Planning Commissioner Tim Martin said the town undertook the five-year rewrite of the plan before learning about the proposal to put most or all of an 80-megawatt wind farm in Ira.
“We typically do not get a hot issue of a large public participation in this process,” Martin said.
Roughly 90 people attended a meeting June 10. Another meeting, designed for the planners to gather ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
23 Jun 2009
Faulty Northumberland wind turbines could be taken down
Faulty wind turbines in a Northumberland beauty spot could be taken down after they stopped working.
The three giant structures at Kirkheaton, North of Hexham, were put up almost 10 years ago by EDF Energy.
But technical issues have meant that two of the turbines have had to have their blades removed, and haven’t been operational since last autumn.
Planning conditions state that any individual turbine not working for more than six months should be removed and that part of the site restored.
Northumberland ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Texas
23 Jun 2009
Company wants to build wind farm in Webb county
Webb county commissioners are debating whether or not to approve the construction of a multi-million dollar wind farm in south Texas.
The wind farm would produce electricity for over 30 thousand homes across Laredo all in an energy efficient manner.
It’s a project with a more than 200 million dollar price tag; constructing a wind farm over 20 thousand acres of land just 7 miles north of Oilton.
“Projected cost of the project is a little over 200 million dollars.”
Trey Comiskey, a representative ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
23 Jun 2009
State pension fund invests $15 million in wind farm
The New York State Common Retirement Fund invested $15 million in Invenergy’s High Sheldon Wind Farm, located in Wyoming County, through Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced Monday.
Invenergy’s High Sheldon Wind Farm’s 75 wind turbines began generating power in March and are feeding the energy to New York state’s electrical grid. The wind farm has the capacity to generate 112.5 MW of energy. As part of its In-state Private Equity Program, the Fund invested $15 ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
23 Jun 2009
Navitas tries to stir up good will in Minonk; Company hosts picnic before wind farm hearings
On the eve of public hearings on its proposal to build two separate wind farms in rural Minonk, Navitas Energy Inc. is hosting a picnic-style open house ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
24 Jun 2009
Wind-siting act threatens home rule
The Legislature’s proposed Act Relative to Comprehensive Wind Siting Reform and the governor’s push to open land protected under Article 97 of the State Constitution deserve close scrutiny. The proposed wind siting reform develops a streamlined permitting process through the Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) which sidesteps local decisions and state environmental laws. If passed as written, communities will have little power to stop or significantly alter unwanted wind power plants.
The Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) has pushed for wind-power ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ireland
24 Jun 2009
Engineers call for halt to wind farm investment
A new report ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
24 Jun 2009
St. Columban residents get informed on wind turbine health concerns
A Ripley woman, who lives near her area’s wind turbine project and has been fighting to have her community’s health problems acknowledged by the provincial government, congratulated the residents of St. Columban for questioning two proposed wind projects before they’re built.
“We’ve suffered extreme health problems and we’re so proud of you as a community that you’re coming together to find out the truth,” Sandy MacLeod told the close to 400 people in attendance at an information meeting about wind turbines ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Vermont
24 Jun 2009
Company organizes bus trip to wind farm
Officials ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
25 Jun 2009
Residents confront wind farm developers
Angry residents fighting plans for massive wind turbines in the countryside near Stafford were gathering to protest against the scheme last night.
More than 100 householders ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Michigan, Health, Noise
26 Jun 2009
Wind Farms Ruining Quality of Life?
News Anchor: They can be good for the environment and good for the economy but those wind turbines also come with a price. Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
The I-Team’s Bill Walsh went to Huron County to find out.
Live and local now to tell us what he did find. Bill?
Bill Walsh: Sam, the fight over wind turbines sometimes pits neighbor against neighbor. The man I spoke with tonight didn’t want to be identified. He lives in the shadow of a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
27 Jun 2009
Pace is stepped up against windfarms
Anti-windfarm protestors are gathering force in opposition to the proliferation of turbines in Annandale and Eskdale.
The area could have as many as nine windfarms which are costing millions of pounds to erect.
And this week Renewable Energy Systems lodged plans for the proposed 21 wind turbines Solwaybank scheme at Allfornought Hill, Chapelknowe, north of Gretna.
Anti-windfarm protestor, Sarah Burchell, said: “It fills me personally with horror and despair that yet another threat to our local hills is being proposed.
“Surely enough has ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
27 Jun 2009
Council rejects windfarm proposal
Plans for a windfarm on a airfield in Suffolk have been rejected by Suffolk Coastal District Council.
Conditional planning permission was originally granted in July 2006 for six 100m high turbines to be installed at Parham Airfield.
The council said the applicants had failed to satisfy all the necessary requirements for the development.
It said concerns raised included how turbine blades could be safely delivered onto the site.
BBC News
27 June 2009
...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
British Columbia
27 Jun 2009
Massive wind turbine set to be installed on Grouse Mountain
METRO VANCOUVER — A heavy-lift helicopter will be used early next week to fly the pieces of a massive industrial wind turbine — a first for Metro Vancouver — to the top of the Olympic Express chairlift at Grouse Mountain.
Three 37-metre blades — as long as three city buses and big enough to be visible ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
28 Jun 2009
An act of tyranny, not one of reform
Whether you are for or against wind farms in Massachusetts you should be aware that the pending Wind Energy Siting Reform Act of 2009 is a threat to your freedom and constitutional rights. This Act is currently being fast-tracked through the state Legislature with virtually no on-the-record public debate at the insistence of Gov. Patrick, the wind energy industry and its financiers.
The name of this Act belies its true intent. It is not an act of reform. It is an ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
28 Jun 2009
Morristown wind group eyes landowner protection
Members propose dividing parcels with turbines as safeguard in case power companies default on taxes
The Morristown Wind Energy Committee is looking at ways to protect landowners ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
29 Jun 2009
Second turbine turned down in Shipdham
More turbines have been refused at appeal in Norfolk. Again, it appears deficiencies in official ETSU impact guidance are to blame.
The new Shipdham turbines appeal decision highlights the difficulties of using conditions to try to correct noise problems.
ETSU guidelines have been heavily criticised in the past as being unsuitable for modern turbines which can exceed 150m in height. Wind conditions at those heights bear little relation to wind at the standard 10m height.
Two years ago wind expert Dick Bowdler quit ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England, Noise
29 Jun 2009
Turbines turned down in Dover
Noise is a key factor in the rejection of Dover wind farm on appeal. This is one of two important wind farm appeal decisions this month (see also “Second turbine turned down in Shipdham”).
Wind farm developer Ecotricity wanted to put in five large wind turbines near Langdon but there were repeated fears that houses were too near to the turbines causing noise and other nuisance.
Full coverage of the decision next month, but in the nutshell, issues covered by the decision ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
29 Jun 2009
Families fight wind turbine plan
More than 100 residents are backing a campaign against plans for three 130-metre high wind turbines.
Dozens of concerned families went to an exhibition of Severn Trent Water’s proposals for Aston Hall Farm, near Stone, on Saturday.
Members of the Campaign Against Aston Hall Wind Farm were outside Aston-by-Stone Village Hall collecting signatures.
They claim noise from the turbines – which are planned between the villages of Aston-by-Stone and Burston – could spark tinnitus, sleep disturbance and migraines, while property values will drop ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
29 Jun 2009
Roxbury board caught in crosswinds
ROXBURY — Ninety-two people signed a petition that asks selectmen to convene a special town meeting vote to rescind previously approved changes to town law allowing wind power facilities, according to Town Clerk Nina Hodgkins.
At Tuesday night’s board meeting, selectmen accepted both the petition and a letter from Record Hill Wind LLC principal and former Maine governor Angus King.
Record Hill has proposed to site 22 wind power turbines on Roxbury hills. The project is currently undergoing review by the Maine ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Editorials, Massachusetts
29 Jun 2009
Get out of town
Let us not hesitate in beating paths to our state representatives’ doors and urging them to vote a resounding NO on the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act, otherwise known as the Bill That Would Plaster The Berkshires With Wind Turbines.
In case you haven’t heard, our state officials, led by Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles, want to take all power from the cities and towns when it comes to siting wind turbines and to put it in the hands of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England, U.K.
29 Jun 2009
Wind farm 'will harm Peak District', High Court hears
The Peak District National Park faces disfigurement if the High Court fails to stop four 335ft (102m) wind turbines being built on its doorstep, it was claimed yesterday (MON).
In a battle that could have important legal implications for the siting of wind farms across Britain, the Peak District National Park Authority has joined forces with Derbyshire Dales District Council to ask the High Court to reject planning permission for the four turbines. Each would be almost twice the height of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New Zealand
29 Jun 2009
Looking at sites for wind farms
Former Waitaki mayor Alan McLay and former power company chief executive Keith Turner have set up a company to investigate the potential of new wind farms.
They are the sole shareholders and directors of Waitaki Wind, registered to look at areas in the central South Island for wind farms.
Dr Turner was former chief executive of Meridian Energy when it instigated the Project Hayes wind farm and the north bank tunnel concept hydro-power scheme on the Waitaki River.
Mr McLay was Waitaki mayor ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Blogs, Texas
30 Jun 2009
Power Line Frenzy Hits Rural America
To get power from wind turbines to customers in the cities will require thousands of miles of new transmission lines. Wind is the easy part. Building the lines is tougher.
My wife’s family has operated a ranch in West Texas for going on five generations, ever since an adventurous New Yorker sailed to Galveston in the 1870s, bought some sheep and settled, finally, west of the fort in San Angelo. The land isn’t pristine. It’s been grazed and sections have been ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois
30 Jun 2009
Wind turbine restraining order continued to July 14
LIBERTYVILLE — Opponents of a wind turbine adjacent to a residential neighborhood won an extension of a temporary restraining order to keep the turbine turned off until July 14.
“It was a slam dunk for the judge,” said Dave Gates, spokesman for the group Citizens for the Protection of Libertyville, after a hearing Monday morning. They are fighting Aldridge Electric. The company declined comment.
On July 14, the neighborhood group will seek a preliminary injunction to keep the turbine turned off.
“At ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
30 Jun 2009
Wind act bulldozes home rule
I object strongly to the premise of the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act, the subject of a “listening session” by DOER representatives at BCC on June 24.
My major objection is to the elimination of home rule on a matter of serious interest to local communities. Global warming is a serious threat, and we need to do all we can to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel, but wiping out home rule to benefit a single industry is surely not the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Northern Ireland
30 Jun 2009
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson blows cold over wind power
Six windmills the size of Blackpool Tower would have to be built per day to meet renewable energy obligations, the Environment Minister has said.
Unrealistic expectations for generating a quarter of Northern Ireland’s electricity through green energy are unlikely be met by 2025, Sammy Wilson told the Assembly.
Mr Wilson has accused the Westminster administration of using global warming as an excuse for introducing more taxes.
“That would require the building of six windmills per day, six windmills the size of Blackpool Tower ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Dakota
30 Jun 2009
Morton to consider wind turbine plan
A Minnesota-based utility company intends to install 33 wind turbines in south-central North Dakota within the next two years.
In mid-June, Minnesota Power applied for a special use permit to install 17 wind turbines in Morton County.
A permit application is pending for 16 others in Oliver County.
The Morton County Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the application at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. July 30 at the Morton County Courthouse.
Minnesota Power already submitted an application to the North Dakota Public ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Australia
30 Jun 2009
Wind farm for Broken Hill
Minister for Lands Tony Kelly today signed an “agreement to lease” for one of the largest on-shore wind farms in the world to be located on 32,000 hectares of Crown land near Silverton, northwest of Broken Hill.
The proponents of the wind farm project, Silverton Wind Farm Developments Pty Ltd, were also on hand at the New South Wales Parliament House for the signing.
“This important investment in both the environment and infrastructure will bring jobs to the western regions,” Mr Kelly ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
30 Jun 2009
Officials streamline wind turbine policy; Demand for privately owned towers prompted law
COXSACKIE — The Town of Coxsackie took steps to promote alternative energy Monday night at a public hearing, approving the Small Wind Energy Facility Law after a lightly attended public comment session with no dissent. Town Board members with community input had been working on the ordinance since last October, finally hammering out the finished draft on June 8.
According to Councilman Aaron Flach, the impetus for the bill first came from numerous requests by different citizens to install wind turbines ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
30 Jun 2009
Board rejects eight wind turbines
The Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board Monday followed a directive by Fayette County Judge Ralph C. Warman and granted approval for a wind turbine project for Georges and Springhill townships — sort of.
Following a 25-minute executive session, the zoning board unanimously approved a motion that granted special exceptions for 14 proposed wind turbines but denied special exceptions for eight wind turbines.
The board also denied a variance from setback requirements for the eight turbines on which variances were requested. All ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Manitoba
30 Jun 2009
Wind development slows
One of the developers of the St. Joe wind farm says the project is still alive and well, despite a major delay in the start of construction.
Work on the 300 megawatt project was scheduled to begin in spring.
Pat Bowes of Bowark Energy says the main project developer, Babcock and Brown, is in financial difficulty and is in the process of selling off its North American infrastructure.
He says that process is taking longer than expected to complete, and is hampering the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
30 Jun 2009
Voters approve second turbine
FALMOUTH — Town meeting voters showed their commitment to renewable energy initiatives last night by approving construction of a second wind turbine at the wastewater treatment facility.
The additional $5 million, 1.65-megawatt turbine will be located on the same 240-acre parcel of land off Blacksmith Shop Road, but northwest of the original turbine. The two turbines will be identical in size and power, town officials said, and the original turbine is already under construction.
Town officials said the total cost of the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jun 2009
High Court turbine fight
A High Court battle has been launched in a bid to prevent four wind turbines being built in the Derbyshire countryside.
Plans for the turbine generators and a substation at Carsington Pastures – next to Carsington Water – were initially turned down.
Applicant West Coast Energy then lodged an appeal and at a subsequent public inquiry a Government inspector ruled the effects on the nearby national park and two conservation areas were outweighed by the benefits of creating renewable energy.
The appeal was ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jun 2009
High Court hears legal challenge to wind farms
The conflict between the need to build wind farms in the battle against climate change and the need to preserve the country’s landscape heritage was highlighted yesterday in a High Court legal challenge.
The Peak District National Park Authority was attacking plans to build four 102-metre (335ft) wind turbines at Carsington Pastures, between Matlock and Ashbourne.
The proposed site is just outside the park and adjoins the Carsington Water beauty spot.
The scheme has been condemned by both local residents and tourists who ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
30 Jun 2009
Historic Highland estate bids for 17-turbine windfarm
Plans for a 17-turbine windfarm on a historic Highland estate have been lodged with the region’s planning authority.
Cawdor Estates has teamed up with renewable energy firm Infinergy to develop the windfarm on a hill known as Tom nan Clach. The turbines will have a maximum height of 360ft and a generating capacity of 2.3MW.
The developers have lodged the planning application a year after public exhibitions in the village of Cawdor and Tomatin.
Since the public display, work has been carried out ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jun 2009
Public consultation dates set for Kimbolton wind farm
Public consultations are to be held in the coming weeks to allow people to have their say on plans for a wind farm near Kimbolton.
As reported earlier this month (June), Broadview Energy has identified a site, near Bicton Industrial Park, between Kimbolton and Stow Longa for a wind farm.
The company has submitted a scoping document to Huntingdonshire District Council outlining studies to be carried out.
Although it is not yet known how many turbines will be constructed or at what height, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.S.
30 Jun 2009
Consultant: Wind turbine prices fall 18% globally
Prices for wind turbines have fallen 18 percent globally since the renewable energy industry slumped with the recession, a consulting firm reported Monday.
The prices were affected by diminishing demand for the giant machines, a decline in the cost of raw materials such as steel and because components have been more accessible since late 2008, said Ethan Zindler, head of North American research at New Energy Finance.
“The logjam has clearly broken,” he said. “Steel prices have definitely come down as well, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
30 Jun 2009
14 wind turbines approved for Georges and Springhill townships
Fayette County’s zoning hearing board on Monday issued a split decision on an Oregon company’s request for special exceptions for 22 wind turbines, granting 14 of the requests while rejecting eight others.
The board granted height variances for all of the turbines — each proposed tower is to be 262.5 feet tall, or 12.5 feet higher than was allowed under a county ordinance in effect at the time of Iberdrola Renewables’ application.
The board then denied setback variances and special exceptions that ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Idaho
30 Jun 2009
Boise wind developer to return to Magic Valley
A Boise wind-farm developer plans to build a number of new farms this year in southern Idaho — a sign that the winds seem to still favor Idaho’s renewable-energy industry.
Boise-based Exergy Development Group’s last Idaho project — Fossil Gulch — was the state’s first “utility-scale” wind farm when it was built near Hagerman in 2004. Now, the company plans to start construction this summer on 152 wind turbines providing a combined 228 megawatts of electricity, scattered in 14 wind parks ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^