^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York, Opinions, Health, Noise
30 Jun 2009
NYS’ Two Billion Dollar Energy Swindle
NYS taxpayers and ratepayers are funding what is likely a $2 Billion fraud.
I was one of a number of citizens representing 33+ NYS grassroots groups who attended the June 16, 2009, NYSERDA Environmental Stakeholder’s Meeting on Wind Power in Albany. (See Meeting Summary: tinyurl.com/mxa5zf for a more detailed report.)
The reasons for this unique meeting were: 1.) to answer citizens’ questions on industrial wind power that we have been asking NYSERDA for years now (See: Citizens’ Questions: tinyurl.com/kkkuqz for these, and ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
30 Jun 2009
Wind farm opponents voice their concerns to town council
Two delegations appear before council Monday night
AMHERSTBURG – Town council has scheduled a public meeting on genGrowth’s application for the South Side Wind Farm but area residents have not waited to once again voice their concerns.
A number of residents turned out Monday night with two delegations appearing before town council expressing opposition to the genGrowth proposal. A five-turbine wind farm is proposed for just north of Malden Centre, in the area near Concession 6 South and South Side Road.
Bill ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wyoming
30 Jun 2009
Wind farm goes up for vote
ROCK SPRINGS — Wind power development in southwest Wyoming could get a big boost tonight ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Arkansas
01 Jul 2009
Wind dies down
Wind power was all the thing in Arkansas last year, manufacturers announcing new wind power-related plants with startling frequency. But the boom has quieted, and may stay that way until the national economy improves, and Congress grants new financial incentives for the use of wind to generate electricity.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission has made the recruitment of wind power plants a priority, and it lists four impressive successes in its “wind component manufacturing” file:
• LM Glasfiber opened a windmill blade ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Spain, Jobs
01 Jul 2009
La industria eólica pierde la mitad de su negocio y destruye 2.000 empleos
Los ERE afectan a un millar de empleos, hay subcontratas que dejan de trabajar y plantas amenazadas de cierre. El parón de nuevos parques en Galicia y la deslocalización hunden a las fábricas de componentes gallegas. ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
France
01 Jul 2009
Le projet éolien abandonné dans l’Est alençonnais
{Wind energy project abandoned in eastern Alençon}
A bulletins secrets, les élus de la communauté de communes de l’Est alençonnais ont voté mardi soir contre le projet de zone de développement éolien à Hauterive, Ménil-Erreux, Forges et Semallé. Plus de 80 personnes assistaient à cette séance très attendue, et des applaudissements ont salué l’annonce du résultat : dix voix contre, sept pour. Le projet, dont on parle depuis plus de deux ans, divise la population et les élus.
{By secret ballots, the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ireland, U.K.
01 Jul 2009
Wind boom means price spikes, threatens plants — study
The dramatic growth in wind turbines around the British Isles may lead to huge spikes in power prices by 2030 and threaten the viability of backup plants needed for calm periods, according to Poyry Energy Consulting.
Britain and Ireland have ambitious targets to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, with wind turbines expected to reduce most of the climate warming gasses ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Blogs, Opinions, U.S.
02 Jul 2009
Prevailing against anti-wind sentiment
Turning anti-wind sentiment into permits requires organization, strategy and plain ol’ grassroots politics.
By Ben Kelahan, North American Windpower, July 2009
Community relations may be the road to reputation, but understanding practical local politics paves the way to permits. Opposition groups are sophisticated, organized and well funded. They have borrowed the highest-priced tactics ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
France
03 Jul 2009
Le développement de l'éolien en péril, selon Compagnie du Vent
Des obstacles réglementaires et politiques menacent le développement de l"éolien en France malgré les objectifs du Grenelle de l"environnement, selon Jean-Michel Germa, le président de La Compagnie du Vent, filiale de GDF Suez. ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
03 Jul 2009
Wind farm plans are gust not on
Plans for a four-turbine wind farm on land next to the A75 at Glenluce have been thrown out by councillors.
Wigtown Area Committee this week refused permission for Barlockhart Moor Wind Energy Ltd to construct their planned 152-metre high windmills after it was agreed the development would have a detrimental impact on the landscape.
The plans would have been the seventh wind farm in the south-west of Scotland to be built or to go through planning stages.
Robert Rankin, of Whitecairn Caravan Park, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
California
03 Jul 2009
TANC opponents decry meeting cancellation
North state opposition to a proposed high-voltage power line stretching ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, Oregon, Washington
05 Jul 2009
Northwest wind power a threat to raptors
The Columbia Gorge Audubon Society has monitored Northwest wind power for almost 20 years. We were not surprised by the recent eagle kill The Columbian reported May 18: “Washington wind turbines claim first known eagle victim.”
The Goodnoe Hills Wind Project that is responsible for the death of the golden eagle is sited in National Audubon Society’s designated Columbia Hills Important Bird Area in Klickitat County overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. The IBA program is Audubon’s attempt to identify and protect ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
05 Jul 2009
Cohasset keeps wind turbine bylaw
Cohasset’s bylaw governing industrial wind turbines will remain on the books despite an effort by a citizens group to have the ordinance “sundowned’’ to review and overhaul it.
Voters who turned out for the June 27 Special Town Meeting were told the Planning Board had not voted a recommendation on the proposed petition article. Under state law, the board must hold a public hearing, which it did the night before the meeting, and vote a recommendation. Instead, planners postponed action ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
05 Jul 2009
Is wind energy a viable alternative?
As the U.S. government continues to push for alternative energy sources, some residents are questioning whether some of the proposed projects in the Tri-County Area are “too good to be true.”
Luthersburg residents Sharon and Gary Gilmore are taking a closer look at a proposed wind farm in Clearfield County.
“We’re not anti-wind at all,” Sharon Gilmore said. “We have some major concerns about the project and the more I read, the more concerns I have. We want people to make an ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Opinions, Vermont
05 Jul 2009
Big wind fails in Vermont
Living in Vermont is not like living in the rest of the east coast megalopolis that stretches ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Carolina
07 Jul 2009
Ridge protections could endanger wind power; Committee set to vote on rules today
Legislation to get consideration today would restrict wind turbines on ridge tops ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Illinois, Press releases
07 Jul 2009
Wind farm construction activity stopped by county planning zoning department
DEKALB, ILLINOIS, JULY 6, 2009: In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 6, several trucking contractors and workers for Blattner Energy, Inc. were discovered engaging in construction activity without the required permits. Construction activity was related to DeKalb County’s recently approved wind energy project, and was taking place in a remote Afton Township location near McGirr and Gast Roads.
Tuesday morning more than 20 semi trailer loads ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
08 Jul 2009
Council goes behind closed doors to learn more about wind farms
East Zorra-Tavistock council met with county planners behind closed doors last week, to learn about its role surrounding a proposed wind farm northwest of Innerkip.
Council’s in-camera ‘education and training’ session is permitted under the Ontario Municipal Act. Under the act’s provisions, the doors can be closed to the public to allow council to learn and ask questions about a particular topic. Council is barred ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ohio
09 Jul 2009
Wind farm plan spurs questions
VERNON TOWNSHIP — A number of Crawford and Richland County residents have reservations about wind turbines popping up in their farmlands.
John Warrington, of Vernon Township, and Brett Heffner, of Jackson Township, conducted a community meeting outside the Vernon Township building Tuesday. More than 40 residents attended to listen to information about the proposed Phase 1 Black Fork Wind Farm project, which could begin in the second half of 2010 and finish in January 2011.
Gary Energetics, an alternative energy company based ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
09 Jul 2009
Wind farm concerns aired
Much of the Brady Township Supervisors July meeting dealt with the concerns of residents Gary and Sharon Gilmore and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Swope regarding the proposed wind farm in the township.
The supervisors visited two townships where wind turbines have been built and are in operation. They said the supervisors there seemed pleased with the company and the turbines. Wachob said both townships have ordinances that require setbacks (distances away ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
10 Jul 2009
Town eyes selective wind moratorium
CAPE VINCENT — While a new wind power development zoning law is in a holding pattern, the Town Council at its August meeting will consider a moratorium on all wind power development in the river and lake districts.
On Thursday night, Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck suggested a yearlong moratorium “since we can’t seem to come up with a suitable zoning law dealing with wind power.”
The other council members at the meeting agreed it was a good idea.
“We’ve said all along we ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
10 Jul 2009
Tax-exempt policy for wind farms hits new hurdle
Low electrical transmission capacity is not only making it difficult for wind power developers to figure out how to connect to the grid; it’s created another hurdle for development of a uniform tax-exempt policy.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency was charged with creating the policy to guide all payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements for wind farms by the county Board of Legislators last year.
Other wind farms in the state make payments-in-lieu-of-taxes and host-community-agreement payments based on a flat rate. The payments typically increase ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
South Dakota
10 Jul 2009
Farmers eye change in wind contracts
SALEM — As a series of South Dakota Farmers Union meetings approaches its end, John Kerstiens says he’s hearing a good deal ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Massachusetts
11 Jul 2009
Vacationers won't visit if we industrialize horizon
Sandwich resident and Clean Power Now representative Charles Kleekamp tells us in his June 17 My View that opposition to Cape Wind resides only “with a privileged and powerful few fussing about the view”; Barbara Hill, another Clean Power representative, says in your June 18 story that “aesthetic objections should not play a part in the state’s siting considerations.”
Does either one understand that our local economy relies almost entirely on aesthetics and the views? If Mr. Kleekamp were lobbying to ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oregon
11 Jul 2009
Tax credits pave way for wind farms
Putting up towers and turbines, building roads between them and hooking them to the power grid can be expensive. Offering a little leeway on the front end in the form of tax relief — up to about $10 million until recently — has helped Oregon bring in the farms during the past decade.
As energy generators, wind companies also generate tax revenue for the counties where they reside.
In Umatilla County, at least three wind farms have been generating dollars since 1999. ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
11 Jul 2009
Hilton wind farm plan put on hold
A controversial decision to grant planning consent for a wind farm near Yarm has been put on hold by the Government.
Government Office North East has been asked to take a fresh look at the application by Stockton MP Dari Taylor and could call the decision in.
This could result in a public inquiry into the plans for three 125metre wind turbines to be built on land between Seamer and Hilton.
As reported, Stockton Council’s planning committee gave the application the green light ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
12 Jul 2009
Glenfiddich whisky family launch campaign against Tory financier's Scots windfarm plans
A reclusive family behind one of Scotland’s best-known whiskies have declared war on a millionaire Tory’s plans for a giant windfarm.
The Grant family — worth a huge £900million — are furious at London financier Christopher Moran’s bid to build 59 turbines on his Speyside estate.
Shareholder Gordon Grant, 43, will host a public meeting at his family’s Glenfiddich distillery visitor centre tomorrow.
He said: “We want to tell people why this windfarm is wrong for the area.”
They are being backed by the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Texas
12 Jul 2009
Austin's clean energy program costing more, selling less
Electric utility chief says separate charge for renewable power may need to be rolled into all users’ bills.
For the past decade, Austin’s ambition to become the world’s clean-energy capital has been best exemplified by one effort: GreenChoice, a program that sells electricity generated entirely ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Alberta
13 Jul 2009
Alberta wind farm worries residents
Darrel and Jean Gogel’s Trochu acreage is a piece of calm in a hectic world–where Darrel can retreat after working days away as a truck driver, and Jean can unwind ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Arizona
14 Jul 2009
Neighbors to protest proposed wind/solar farms
HOLBROOK – Plans are underway for more wind farms and/or solar generators to join the Dry Lake wind farm on State Route 377.
Several months ago, the Navajo County Board of Supervisors approved special use permits on four separate parcels in the Joseph City, Holbrook and Sun Valley, east of Holbrook.
Public hearings are on the board’s agenda for today (June 14) for two more SUP requests, these in the Snowflake ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
14 Jul 2009
Victor adopts wind turbine moratorium
Victor, N. Y. — Potential wind farmers will have to wait at least until January before building turbines to harness the breeze.
On Monday night, the Victor Town Board adopted a six-month moratorium on wind turbine development while a committee devises a code to regulate the turbines.
All board members voted for the measure except for Peter Hessney, who was absent.
At a public hearing before the vote, only one resident, Jerry Collier of Rawson Road, addressed the board, expressing his interest in building ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Carolina
14 Jul 2009
Ridge-law change added to windmill measure
RALEIGH — State senators today unveiled a proposed change in the state’s ridge-protection law that would ban large-scale wind energy production in the mountains.
The Senate Finance Committee added the language to a bill moving through the General Assembly that will shape where windmills are allowed to be built statewide.
Wind-energy advocates say the change will cripple incipient efforts to harvest the wind blowing along mountain peaks.
“It’s horrible. They just banned wind,” as a source of energy in the mountains, said Crystal ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Australia
14 Jul 2009
Eagle may halt wind farm
The Central Highlands could soon be home to the state’s biggest wind farm but the endangered wedge- tailed eagle may stop the multimillion-dollar development before it begins.
N. P. Power, a subsidiary of US company National Power Group, has lodged a notice of intent with the Environment Protection Authority for a Cattle Hill Wind Farm development, which would be situated close to Lake Echo and Waddamana Power Station.
Between 50 and 70, 80-metre high towers would be built for the three megawatt turbines, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
14 Jul 2009
Turbine plan could 'open floodgates'
Building wind turbines at Tydd St Mary Marsh could “open the floodgates” for a forest of them in The Fens, says MP John Hayes who is now calling on the project to be scrapped.
Mr Hayes chaired a public meeting in the village hall about the proposal to build seven 127 metre-tall turbines at Grange Farm, between Tydd St Mary and Tydd Gote.
Representatives ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Australia
15 Jul 2009
Seventy get together at Ballan in protest
About 70 people packed the Ballan Mechanics Institute last night to voice their opposition to proposed windfarms in the region.
The meeting was a coalition of wind farm opponents who travelled ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Indiana
16 Jul 2009
Boone County faces wind farm decision
About 40 persons have organized the Southern Boone Wind Group to negotiate with wind farm developers.
Those persons, mostly living in Jackson, southern Jefferson and Harrison townships, own about 4,000 acres, said Kent Frandsen, the group’s attorney. “There will probably be more; I don’t think the word’s out, yet,” he said.
Before Boone County’s wind resource can be harvested, though, the county must eliminate a ban on wind mills and write an ordinance regulating the potentially lucrative turbine farms.
“There are a multitude ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wisconsin
16 Jul 2009
Court puts halt to local wind power ordinances
MADISON (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court Wednesday effectively struck down numerous municipal ordinances that have slowed the development of wind energy, lawyers said.
Local governments cannot pass broad rules dictating how far wind turbines must be ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oregon, Washington
18 Jul 2009
As the wind blows: Power company tries to grapple with wind supply
Consider the state’s energy supply a giant juggling act.
When demand spikes, the Bonneville Power Administration must send energy over its power grid to where it’s needed, combining numerous sources into one system. When it dips, things scale back.
“Energy is the kind of thing that has to be balanced,” said Elliot Mainzer, BPA’s vice president for strategic planning. “Demand has to equal supply at any given time.”
Tipping that balance recently is an explosion of wind energy development in Oregon and Washington ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
18 Jul 2009
Residents shocked by plans for 21 turbines near village
There was standing room only at a meeting to give residents more information about plans to build wind turbines near their homes.
The event at West Haddon Village Hall was organised by action group Stop the Spin and discussed proposals to put five 126.5m turbines at Watford Lodge and a further eight at both Yelvertoft and Winwick.
Following a show of hands, two thirds of the people who attended the meeting on Wednesday last week were unaware of the plans which would ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Ohio
18 Jul 2009
Elephant metaphor may be accurate for wind farm
Anyone attending Tuesday’s industrial wind turbine complex meeting will immediately see the Shelby Daily Globe’s accuracy when it recently compared wind energy to an elephant.
I can visualize the large landowners and out-of-state developers riding high on the back of the elephant while the small landholders, the taxpayer and the electric consumer are squashed between its toes.
Brett A. Heffner
Shelby
Mansfield News Journal
18 July 2009
...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
18 Jul 2009
Cumbrian anti-windfarm protestors step up campaign
Protestors fighting plans to build wind turbines almost as tall as the London Eye near a Cumbrian village have stepped up their campaign.
Residents of Threapland, near Aspatria, are furious after plans were revealed to build six turbines 500 metres ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
21 Jul 2009
Go-ahead for giant Eishken wind farm is now more likely
The go-ahead for the delayed £120 million Eishken windfarm on Lewis now looks more feasible after a number of contentious turbines are knocked out of the proposal.
The findings of a restricted public inquiry into the 53-turbine scheme is already six months overdue.
One serious concern is constructing around half the machines in a National Scenic Area (NSA). No sizeable wind farm has ever been approved for a NSA and it’s feared that Eishken could set a dangerous precedent against planning ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
21 Jul 2009
Fourth bid for giant wind farm on Lewis
A fresh bid is being launched over a huge wind farm on Lewis. A new planning application for bigger turbines will be submitted on Thursday to build a 140 megawatt scheme on the Eisgein estate in South Lochs.
But the Scottish Government has not publicised the outcome of a public inquiry into a similar development for the same site. The public inquiry examined if the economic benefits are of such a national importance to over-ride the significant adverse impact on ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
21 Jul 2009
Public inquiry results withheld as fourth bid is made for controversial windfarm
Serious questions are being raised with regard to democracy and the planning system, as it appears that a controversial Hebridean wind farm is heading for its fourth incarnation.
A new application for the Muaitheabhal Windfarm, on the Eishken Estate, Isle of Lewis, is expected in the next few days.
The windfarm is being proposed by the landlord, Mr Nicholas Oppenheim’s company, Beinn Mhor Power Ltd.
However, the results of a Public Local Inquiry, held last year into the previous, 53-turbine version of the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Editorials, New York
21 Jul 2009
Wind power: Developers should pay full taxes
Jefferson County development officials continue to wrestle with the terms of a tax-exempt policy for several wind power projects planned for the county.
The Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency is struggling to draft a uniform policy for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. The PILOTS would allow the developers of the Galloo Island Wind Farm and three other proposed projects around the county to make annual payments to the county, towns and school districts in place of taxes.
The IDA has to come up with a ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
21 Jul 2009
Clayton dispels rumors of Grindstone turbines; Town adding wind overlay district to code to fix omission
GRINDSTONE ISLAND — The Grindstone Island militia can stand down.
A group of startled Clayton residents who mistakenly believed the Town Council was trying to create a new Wind Energy Facility Overlay District on Grindstone Island planned to oppose the rumored wind district at an annual council meeting on Grindstone.
However, the town isn’t creating a new wind overlay district, and some people simply misinterpreted a public notice on the proposed zoning amendments, Planning Board Chairman Roland A. “Bud” Baril said.
“There’s no ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Iowa
21 Jul 2009
Des Moines metro area weighs rules for turbines
Growing interest in wind power has prompted Des Moines-area leaders to consider a uniform ordinance to provide consistent regulation of small-scale wind energy turbines in residential areas.
Rules currently vary among Iowa cities on whether residents can add wind turbines on their properties. Some cities have banned turbines, while others regulate their size. Others do not allow turbines on small lots, but do on larger parcels.
Members of the Metro Advisory Council, a group of elected officials, recently decided to examine how ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wyoming
21 Jul 2009
Governor's office disputes grouse impact
A decision to block wind energy development ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
U.S.
21 Jul 2009
Calculating Wind Power’s Environmental Benefits
It’s commonly believed that new wind power generation will displace coal and natural gas-fueled power plants and thereby avoid all their associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). The benefits of these avoided emissions have become a major factor in wind developers gaining public support for their plans to site wind farms. These purported benefits are also the reason for the large subsidies governments have provided to offset wind’s higher ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Spain
21 Jul 2009
Ecologistas y asociaciones piden un «auténtico» plan eólico
{Environmentalists and associations call for "true" wind energy plan}
Solicitan que se detenga el concurso convocado por el Gobierno regional, que se someta a evaluación ambiental y que se cuente con la participación social.
{They request: halt the bidding arranged by regional governments, submit to environmental evaluations, and consider social participation.}
«Claro que estamos de acuerdo con la energía eólica pero no a cualquier precio». Bernardo Colsa, presidente de ADIC, resumió ayer el sentir de un total de nueve asociaciones regionales que ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Pennsylvania
22 Jul 2009
Butler Township supervisors bombarded with windmill questions
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS — Tuesday’s meeting of the Butler Township board of supervisors seemed more like a court of law as the supervisors and the zoning officer were questioned over and over about wind turbine issues.
At times, the questioning seemed more like an interrogation of supervisors Kevin Kowalick, David Kessler and Robert Burns as well as Zoning Officer Thomas Squires.
For the past few months, a proposed project by Broad Mountain Development to construct 27 wind turbines in the township on 1,300 ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Ontario
22 Jul 2009
Turbines raise health concerns
We are writing to express concerns about the health effects ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wisconsin
23 Jul 2009
County fires back against wind farms
Calumet County officials are one-upping an appeals court ruling overturning a wind farm ordinance by slamming the door on all such projects until further notice.
The County Board of Supervisors has passed a moratorium on all new wind farm projects until the end of the year or until the county passes zoning ordinance with turbine setback distances and noise limits.
“The reason for doing it is simple,” said Chester Dietzen, a county supervisor and chairman of the county’s Planning and Zoning Committee. ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
24 Jul 2009
Campaigners get wind of possible turbine plans
A Golden Valley campaign group has reformed after potential wind farm plans were uncovered more than six years since previous proposals put residents in a spin.
Friends of the Golden Valley aired its concerns this week after Vagar Hill, Cefn Hill and Cusop Hill near the Black Mountains were thought to have been included in a national consultation by Scottish and Southern Energy plc subsidiary Airtricity searching for suitable sites countrywide.
Originally set up to oppose a 50-turbine application ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
24 Jul 2009
Gull killer turbines are removed
An aquarium in Devon has taken down two wind turbines after seagulls were killed when they collided with the blades.
The 15m (50ft) high 6kW turbines at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth were installed in 2006 for a £3.6m sustainable energies project.
But the Hoe-based attraction has taken them down after several birds died, it said.
The aquarium also said they had not produced as much electricity as hoped.
Caroline Johnson, of the aquarium, said: “The major problems included where they were positioned.
“The ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
24 Jul 2009
Objection to wind farm over birds
RSPB Scotland has lodged an objection to plans for Scotland’s largest community wind farm, on Shetland.
The Viking Energy project, for 150 turbines, is a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Energy and the island community.
It has been estimated the project could make £37m a year locally and create many jobs.
Now RSPB Scotland has added its voice, on the grounds of possible bird species impact, to local resistance.
Populations of birds, including the golden plover, could be threatened by some of the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England, U.K.
24 Jul 2009
Wind farms risk becoming 'redundant symbols' warns CPRE
Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, wants to build thousands more onshore wind turbines as part of plans to boost the amount of energy generated ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Germany, U.S., Bats
25 Jul 2009
Deadly Flights
Massive wind turbines seem to be killing more and more migratory bats, prompting research into these neglected creatures and efforts to minimize the toll.
On a warm, late-April night, Volker Kelm drives his battered station wagon across a bleak expanse of scrubby fields a few kilometers ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
France
27 Jul 2009
Pas de vacances contre l'éolien industriel
{No vacation against industrial wind energy -- scroll down for English translation}
Chalabre. L’association CRI du VENT a installé un stand au vide grenier organisé par l’association Kercorb Patrimoine. Les bénévoles présents ont largement informé la population, les exposants et les visiteurs, des dangers qui menacent le canton du Chalabrais et ses environs. Ils ont insisté sur le fait que certaines personnes veulent permettre à des promoteurs d’implanter un grand nombre d’éoliennes industrielles hautes de 120m sur les crêtes par désir ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
28 Jul 2009
Friends, foes air wind power views; Turbine would provide some power to Berkshire East
CHARLEMONT — A mix of advocates and adversaries came to voice their concerns and opinions about the potential construction of a 900-kilo-watt wind turbine at the Berkshire East Ski Resort during the July 16 public hearing.
In the wake of the balloon test, Planning Board Chairwoman Gisela Walker said that she wanted townspeople to speak out while they still had a mental image of the turbine’s height fresh in their minds.
Walker said that the top balloon was flown at 330 ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Delaware
28 Jul 2009
Bethany residents wary of Bluewater power cable
BETHANY BEACH — Many residents of this quaint beach town say they are all for green energy, but when Bluewater Wind officials came to town with a concept plan to bring the power cable ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oregon
28 Jul 2009
BLM seeks public input on Steens Mountain wind power transmission line
The Bureau of Land Management is taking public comment on a proposal to build a 29-mile electricity transmission line in the Steens Mountain area of southeastern Oregon.
The 230-kilovolt transmission line would carry power generated ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Carolina
29 Jul 2009
Wind turbine bill meets resistance; Senate bill that would restrict turbines in Western North Carolina moved to committee
The proposed Mitchell County wind farm, without even making it to the tops of Spruce Pine ridges, is generating energy in the community and the state.
Legislation that documents how to site and permit wind energy facilities in North Carolina, Senate Bill 1068, hop scotched around the N. C. Senate last week moving ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
30 Jul 2009
Judge hears arguments in Lincoln appeal fight
The Lincoln Board of Appeals had no business refusing to hear a landowners group’s appeal of a permit issued to a proposed $130 million wind farm on Rollins Mountain, the group’s attorney said Wednesday.
Friends of Lincoln Lakes attorney Lynne Williams argued in Penobscot County Superior Court that Lincoln’s appeal process was chaotic.
“We have a {board} ruling that gives the board totally unfettered discretion to determine who appears before them,” Williams argued before Justice William Anderson. “They can decide for any ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Virginia
30 Jul 2009
Developer ends talks with state agency
RICHMOND — Despite repeated requests for more information,
Highland New Wind Development has told one state agency it will not provide anything further until after it begins construction on its 38-megawatt wind energy utility.
A letter last week from HNWD attorney John Flora to Roger Kirchen of the Department of Historic Resources says the company will no longer consult DHR until after construction starts in August.
July 9, DHR sent a letter to HNWD, saying the company’s archaeological survey by consultant Dr. Linda ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jul 2009
Clacton, St Osyth: Wind farm inquiry gets underway
A controversial windfarm would see turbines taller than the tower of Big Ben loom over nearby residents’ homes, an inquiry has heard.
The inquiry into the creation of a windfarm between Clacton and St Osyth started yesterday.
N-Power Renewables wants to build five 125m-high turbines at Earls Hall Farm. Tendring Council’s planning committee voted unanimously against the plan last year, but the company appealed against the decision.
A five-day inquiry was launched by planning inspector Paul Griffith at Weeley Council chambers.
Mike Barnard, of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Nebraska
30 Jul 2009
Train, truck accident causes $1 million in damage, closes road 17 hours
OXFORD — An accident involving a semitrailer truck and a train Wednesday afternoon caused $1 million in damage.
The accident was about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 136 and Ewing Street in Oxford, according to a press release from the Harlan County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver of a truck pulling a trailer loaded with a wind turbine base was attempting to turn north onto Highway 136 when the trailer was struck by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train driven by ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jul 2009
Roos windfarm plans refused
Controversial plans for a wind farm at Roos have been refused by planners.
In a surprise move, members of East Riding Council planning committee this afternoon voted to throw out the plans by 10 votes to three.
Renewable Energy Systems wanted to build the nine-turbine farm on land close to the Holderness village.
Planning officials had recommended the development be deferred to iron out technical matters and then be approved.
Cherie Blenkin, of South Holderness Opposes Wind Turbines (SHOWT), said she was delighted.
She said: ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jul 2009
Fears for landscape following Armistead approval
Devastated South Lakeland residents fear that the approval of the Armistead wind farm could be the beginning of the industrialisation of the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
Six 100-metre turbines near Old Hutton have been given the go-ahead by an independent planning inspector and now opposition groups are concerned that it will set a precedent for other proposals including Whirlwind Renewables’ plans to build three turbines at Sillfield, near Gatebeck — just 2km from Armistead.
“This could be the beginning of the industrialisation of ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jul 2009
Turbines 'will disrupt sleep'
A doctor has called for a wind farm plan to be rejected because he believes it will give people living nearby sleepless nights.
Dr Chris Hanning was speaking at a public inquiry which will decide whether 11 410ft-high turbines can be put up on farmland near Swinford.
The consultant in sleep medicine at Leicester General Hospital said noise created by electricity-generating turbines had been proven to adversely affect the heath of people who lived near them.
He gave evidence at the three-week hearing ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wyoming
30 Jul 2009
What else do they generate?
Wind farms generate a lot of electricity, but not a large number of permanent jobs once the construction phase is over. And although the projects are desirable because they use an abundant renewable natural resource, the only significant revenue the units are generating in Wyoming at this point is through property taxes in the counties where they are located.
Their property tax bills so far are modest. The 11 wind companies that do nothing but produce power and sell it ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Utah
30 Jul 2009
Wind farm possible in Box Elder
A wind farm could be coming to Box Elder County. Property owner Cresley Walker of West Hills has asked the county commission for a Letter of Awareness as part of a grant he is applying for
Walker says there is a limited number of areas in the state to feasibly have a wind farm and one of them is in the West Hills area of Box Elder County. Walker said the property being considered is northwest of the Nucor Steel Plant ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maryland
30 Jul 2009
County, neighbors fight over windmills; Community groups create gust of opposition over backyard devices
A battle is brewing between Baltimore County and such community organizations as the Pikesville-Greenspring Community Coalition over windmills in residential neighborhoods.
The county is devising regulations allowing windmills with restrictions. But PGCC and other community groups are opposed to windmills in people’s backyards.
The issue is expected to burst into the headlines this fall when the County Council and the county Office of Planning deal with “small wind energy systems,” in the jargon, with an electrical capacity of 100 kilowatts or less.
As ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Maine
30 Jul 2009
Wind turbine issue may be revisited
It looks like the Scarborough Town Council can expect more discussion about a recently passed wind turbine ordinance.
Scarborough Town Councilor Judith Roy said she hopes the council will reconsider the wind turbine ordinance it adopted on July 15. And since Roy was among those who voted for the ordinance at that meeting, she can make it happen.
“Council rules state that any councilor who votes in favor of a passed motion can then bring it up again for reconsideration,” Roy said. ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
30 Jul 2009
Battle over bid to build wind farm begins
A controversial wind farm would see turbines taller than Big Ben tower over homes, an inquiry has heard.
N-Power Renewables wants to build five 125m high turbines at Earls Hall Farm, between Clacton and St Osyth.
Tendring Council’s planning committee voted unanimously against the proposals last year, but the company appealed against the decision.
A five-day inquiry was launched by planning inspector Paul Griffith at Weeley Council chambers yesterday.
Mike Barnard, of campaign group Staple (South Tendring Acting to Protect our Local ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York
30 Jul 2009
Developers sign on to state wind ethics code
VOLUNTARY RULES: Attorney general aims to prevent corruption
All of the local wind developers signed on to the state attorney general’s Wind Industry Ethics Code on Wednesday.
The developers of four local projects were among 15 companies that signed on.
“New York must be equally committed to clean energy and clean government,” Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo said. “Wind power has enormous environmental and economic potential for New York and it is critical that this industry continues to grow without the suspicion or ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
30 Jul 2009
Council granted extension of time to consider windfarm proposals
Shetland Islands Council has been granted an extension to its consultation deadline on the Viking Energy windfarm proposals – but only by half of what it had been seeking.
The Scottish Government announced on Thursday afternoon that the council would have until 13th November to make a recommendation to ministers on the plan to build 150 huge turbines in central Shetland.
The council had seeking an extension until the end of the year to allow it to hold a series of public ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New York
31 Jul 2009
DEC regulations label wind project impacts 'intolerable'
On Aug. 10 there will be another public hearing on Horizon’s proposed industrial wind project in the Town of Perry. This time it is to assess Horizon’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS).
Horizon claims it has “mitigated” the impacts of the Dairy Hills project because it has reduced the number of proposed turbines from 80 to 38. The reality, however, is that the impacts remain the same for those stuck living within the footprint of the proposed project, while all ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, New Jersey
31 Jul 2009
Wind towers will ruin region
The wind energy industry is rife with carpet-baggers and swindlers who aim to dupe uninformed communities. Now they are prospecting in the Bayshore area. The Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority, in Union Beach, wants to bring wind towers — taller than the Statue of Liberty, higher than a 35-story skyscraper — to this quiet residential town.
The aesthetics in every town along Raritan Bay from Staten Island to Sayreville to Sandy Hook will be permanently spoiled by these surrealistic monstrosities. Records show ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
New York, Vermont
31 Jul 2009
N. Y. wind energy corruption probe reaches Vermont
New York’s far-reaching investigation into allegations that wind developers paid local officials to approve their energy projects moved into the state of Vermont this week.
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that his office issued a subpoena to Reunion Power, a wind energy developer with offices in Manchester Center and Hackensack, N. J., as part of its ongoing investigation.
Announced last summer, the investigation alleges that wind executives at several companies received land-use agreements for their projects from public officials and ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ontario
31 Jul 2009
Energy Farming grilled on Alnwick/Haldimand Township wind farm proposal
ALNWICK/HALDIMAND TOWNSHIP — People crowded into the St. George’s Church hall on July 29 to speak with Energy Farming Ontario Inc. about a proposal that could bring a wind farm to Alnwick/Haldimand Township.
“I’m definitely still concerned because it seems like a controversial issue in terms of health,” said resident Barbara Bochniak, about the proposed wind farm, which is being studied from Cranberry Lake Road north to Centreton Road, and east from Wilson Drive to County Rd. 23.
Ms. Bochniak is very ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Campaigners cheered as rural wind farm project is blocked
Councillors have been praised for blocking a proposed wind farm that would have had a “catastrophic” impact on the visual appearance of the rural East Riding.
Opponents of the scheme responded with cheers and applause when the application for a nine-turbine wind farm at Roos in rural Holderness was rejected at a meeting of East Riding Council’s planning committee yesterday.
The meeting heard that the East Riding had already achieved its renewable energy targets for the next 12 years, with two wind ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
North Carolina, Texas
31 Jul 2009
Utilities chase distant winds; Critics cry foul over buying of renewable energy credits
The answer to North Carolina’s green energy challenge is blowing in the wind-swept mesas of Texas.
With the first deadlines fast approaching for North Carolina’s renewable energy targets, power companies in this state are snapping up green certificates from out-of-state wind farms. The certi ficates don’t buy electricity, but pay for credits needed to meet state targets.
There are eight Texas wind farms registered in North Carolina to market the certificates to Progress Energy, Duke Energy and local power agencies. Just this ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Wyoming
31 Jul 2009
Forum mulls wind development on state land
The influx of wind developers to Wyoming has strained the balance of competing development interests for state-owned trust lands, officials from the state and various industries said Thursday.
The Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments hosted a forum at Casper College to discuss how compatible wind farms can be with agriculture, mining, and oil and gas development.
The Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners, made up of the state’s five elected officials, recently instructed the State Lands office to take a more ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
British Columbia
31 Jul 2009
Green power gets red light
Regulators have put a big question mark over the province’s strategy to tap run-of-river hydroelectric and wind power projects to meet growing electricity demand while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
A complex 236-page ruling by the B. C. Utilities Commission found B. C. Hydro overestimated future demand and rejected the basis for its call for independent power projects under its Clean Power initiative.
The decision instead directs ongoing use of the gas-fired Burrard generating plant, which Hydro had sought to phase out.
Backers of green power ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Planners throw out Roos wind farm bid
Councillors have flouted Westminster green energy targets by rejecting the latest application for a wind farm in the East Riding.
Members of the East Riding Council planning committee threw out plans yesterday to build a nine-turbine development near Roos in Holderness by 10 votes to three.
The reasons for refusing Renewable Energy Systems’s plans included visual impact, the effect on the character of the rural area and the cumulative impact.
The move comes despite recent decisions by planning inspectors to overturn decisions to ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Protesters face £10,000 bill for study into planned turbines near Aspatria
Protesters fighting plans to build wind turbines near Aspatria are preparing to fund environmental studies which could cost them £10,000.
Residents of Threapland, near Aspatria, are up in arms after plans were revealed to build six turbines almost as high as the London Eye just 500m from their homes.
BT is preparing to submit a planning application to Allerdale Council to create a windfarm at Threapland Lees.
Families living in Threapland, Bothel and Plumbland formed an action group to fight the proposals.
The Threapland ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Micklefield wind farm plans fail after RAF objections
Plans to build a wind farm on the outskirts of Leeds have been thrown out over air safety concerns.
The five 125m-tall turbines in green belt land at Hook Moor, north of Micklefield, were rejected because of the potential impact on radar equipment at RAFs Church Fenton and Linton-on-Ouse.
The Leeds City Council decision will delight the 845 people in the area who opposed the application, but dismay environmental campaigners who demonstrated outside Leeds Civic Hall urging a “yes” vote.
Squadron leader Gavin ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Scotland
31 Jul 2009
University of St Andrews to build its own wind farm
The University of St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university, plans to build its own wind farm to generate electricity and save million of pounds.
The university currently spends a “crippling” £5.4 million a year on energy and believes that wind power will allow it to cut costs while also reducing carbon emissions.
The new facility could even produce enough energy for St Andrews to turn a profit by selling electricity back to the National Grid.
“It’s a great opportunity and we have ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Oklahoma
31 Jul 2009
Equalization board keeps assessment
Members of the Woodward County Equalization Board have refused to grant a request to assess taxes at a lower rate for a wind farm owned by Nextera Energy, formerly Florida Power and Light Electric.
The request came Tuesday at the board’s regular meeting.
Madeline Maneiski, tax project manager for Nextera, asked the board to assess the company’s wind farm north of Woodward — Sooner Wind, which has 22 towers — at $26 million instead of $30.3 million, the rate of its current ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Letters, Scotland
31 Jul 2009
NIMBYs united
Stephen M Brown’s letter (July 23) – a response to a perfectly understandable objection to yet another ill-sited wind power project in the Borders – is an illustration of the Greenpeace-induced hysteria currently clouding the renewable energy issue.
One side – turbines are unsightly; the other, they are beautiful, elegant technological saviours of the planet.
The idea that if you object to a wind power plant you are a social outcast has now entered the arena in the media debate.
In Scotland we ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
British Columbia
31 Jul 2009
Plutonic to wait and see
Plutonic Power CEO Donald McInnes was taking a ‘wait and see’ approach yesterday to a BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) bombshell decision which raised questions about the industry and sent independent power producers (IPP) share prices into a nose dive.
Late Monday, the BCUC refused to endorse B. C. Hydro’s long-term call for 3,000 gigawatts of power from public and independent power producers because it was not “in the public interest.” The commission took issue with several areas of BC Hydro’s plan, including ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
31 Jul 2009
Orleans endorses turbine
ORLEANS — Selectmen moved the town closer to placing a wind turbine in the watershed and opened up the possibility of taking advantage of renewable energy projects in other towns.
At their meeting Wednesday, board members endorsed the concept of putting a 600-kilowatt turbine in the watershed.
The idea still needs to be approved by the water and sewer commissioners who control the land.
Less enthusiastically, the board also voted to join the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative.
Allen Kolchinsky, a member of the ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Massachusetts
31 Jul 2009
Mass Audubon seeks OK for wind turbine
NEWBURYPORT — The city could soon have a second wind turbine.
Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center is looking into placing a small turbine on their property, sanctuary Director Bill Gette confirmed yesterday.
Gette said the center hopes to install the “evaluation turbine” immediately adjacent to the property’s parking lot by the end of the year, if it meets all zoning regulations and permits. As an evaluation turbine, the structure would be up for a certain length of time to determine if ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Residents form group to fight south Warwickshire wind farm proposal
Opposition to a proposed wind farm near Bishops Itchington is emerging — only a week after the scheme was announced.
Last week energy company Broadview announced proposals to build six turbines at Starbold, next to junction 12 of the M40 and close to Bishops Itchington and Knightcote.
Residents have already formed an opposition group and plan to send letters to every house in the two villages, as well as Fenny Compton, Northend, Gaydon and Lighthorne Heath, to garner support.
The Warwick Courier
30 ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Minnesota
31 Jul 2009
Meeting will discuss transmission route of proposed line
Central Minnesotans have a chance to weigh in on the proposed route of a high-voltage transmission line expected to run from Monticello to Fargo, N. D.
One in a series of public hearings is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Monday at Albany Elementary School, 10 Forest Ave., Albany.
The open houses were scheduled to get feedback about route options that will be proposed in the project’s permit application, to be filed this fall.
The project is one of three 345-kilovolt transmission lines proposed by CapX2020, ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
England
31 Jul 2009
Campaigner debates wind turbine issues on Newsnight
A wind farm protester from Northamptonshire has opened up the debate on turbines by going head-to-head with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband live on Newsnight.
Adrian Snook, chief executive of the Stop the Spin campaign against wind farm proposals in Northamptonshire, was invited onto the flagship BBC Two programme on Wednesday, and was interviewed by host Nick Robinson.
Mr Snook, whose group has flagged up nine prospective developments in the Daventry area, debated the pros and cons of wind farms with Mr Miliband ...
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^