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Blogs, U.S.
30 Apr 2010
Wind development slowed to a crawl
The U.S. wind industry had one day to celebrate its long-awaited, first-ever federal approval of an offshore wind project by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Cape Wind project in Massachusetts got federal approval nine years after it was first proposed, though opponents have promised a continued court battle.
Back on land on Thursday, the news wasn’t so good. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) yesterday reported that the wind industry installed 539 megawatts in the first quarter of 2010, ...
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Blogs, New York
30 Apr 2010
How the grid manages wind
{NWW note: At 2% wind penetration, the New York grid is already experiencing problems ...}
When it comes to wind power potential and capacity in the United States, New York will never be confused with Iowa. New York’s 1,274 megawatts puts the state in the middle of the pack in generation, but just the same, wind energy presents operational challenges to the system.
I recently spoke about those challenges and efforts to better integrate wind energy into the New York Independent System ...
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Minnesota
30 Apr 2010
Wind-farm developer questioned, challenged at forum
About 60 people gathered Thursday at Rochester Public Library to hear a lively discussion about Goodhue Wind’s proposed 78-megawatt wind farm in Goodhue County. The public was invited to quiz a five-member panel put together by the Post-Bulletin for details on the project.
People took full advantage of the opportunity.
The crowd peppered Goodhue Wind senior wind developer Chuck Burdick with questions throughout most of the 90-minute session. A few even stuck around to challenge him on certain issues after the meeting ...
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Massachusetts
30 Apr 2010
Kennels, wind power among non$ articles
PEPPERELL — Full liquor licenses, wind power, and expanded rights to set up pet day-care operations are all being proposed on the warrant at this year’s Annual Town Meeting, which will begin on Monday, May 3.
Liquor Licenses
The Board of Selectmen currently has authority to issue beer-and-wine licenses, but it’s looking for a bylaw change that would allow full liquor licenses.
Board Chairman Joe Sergi said it’s a matter of economic development. Officials want to both attract full service restaurants and assist ...
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New Jersey
30 Apr 2010
Ocean Gate turbine noise probed
OCEAN GATE — The borough’s wind turbine has become a lightning rod.
First praised as innovative, the turbine has since been criticized by several residents for its noise pollution. Now, those residents are still debating the turbine’s value as Ocean County Health Department officials investigate noise complaints.
Mayor Paul J. Kennedy said the borough was told by the health department on April 16 that all tests conducted in the borough between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. did not exceed the daytime standard ...
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Ontario
30 Apr 2010
Wind turbine protest blows into Queen’s Park
The slight breeze over Queen’s Park did nothing to cool tempers of opponents of industrial wind turbines Wednesday.
Around 250 people ...
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Virginia
02 May 2010
Bland weighs pros, cons of wind energy
BLAND, Va. — For the past several months, the Bland County board of supervisors have been researching the idea of wind energy, and although there is no document presently in the works related to a position of the board, the board’s chair has been impressed by the concept of harvesting wind energy in Bland County.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we came out with an ordinance in the near future concerning wind energy development in Bland County,” Henry ...
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Massachusetts
02 May 2010
Walmart tests the wind
WORCESTER — Walmart has circled Worcester for years, but this week it lands in the city with the opening of a 209,000-square-foot supercenter near Route 146.
The store, which opens at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday after a 7:30 a.m. ceremony, combines a supermarket with Walmart’s general merchandise and a few extras such as a vehicle tire and lube center and space for renters offering sandwiches, salon services and computer games.
“At this store, our expectation is to meet your need for everything,” ...
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Nova Scotia
03 May 2010
A mighty wind: Nova Scotia’s tough new renewable energy targets also target the health of rural residents
Nova Scotia’s energy minister was delivering a prepared speech atop Dalhousie Mountain, Pictou County last Friday when he suddenly stopped to observe, “My god, it’s quiet isn’t it?” Bill Estabrooks was standing beneath the barely-turning blades of a 400-foot wind turbine. Six of nine turbines in the distance stood stock still. Seemingly unaware of the irony, Estabrooks touted provincial plans for more industrial wind factories. The NDP hopes that within 10 years, 40 percent of our electricity will be produced ...
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Oklahoma
03 May 2010
Enid hopes to capitalize on wind energy
ENID — A vote by Southwest Power Pool last week may have positioned Enid to become a player in the wind energy production industry.
Southwest Power Pool’s advisory committee, acting on a motion by Oklahoma Corporation Commission vice chairman Jeff Cloud, voted to support a package of six new transmission projects, four of which will be located in Oklahoma. The entire package is projected to lead to an investment of more than $1 billion with about $350 million of that in ...
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Canada, U.S., Health, Noise, Setbacks, Wind turbine syndrome
03 May 2010
Are wind farms a health risk?
A study of families living near wind farms found nature’s energy might not be so healthy.
Wind energy is blowing hot right now. Nationwide, wind farms are bringing in renewable energy and jobs, such as in Montana, as detailed in “Propelling Growth.” Overall, wind turbines in the United States generated 52 billion kilowatt hours in 2008, which is enough to serve 4.6 million households, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). And demand is growing: The number of wind turbines ...
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North Dakota
04 May 2010
Google makes major wind farm investment
Google – one of the largest consumers of power in the world – is to invest for the first time in renewable energy with the purchase of a stake in two North Dakota wind farms.
The wind farms, developed by NextEra Energy Resources, generate 169.5MW via 113 turbines. The company’s made a $38.8 million investment in exchange for around 20 percent of NextEra’s Class B shares. The investment has been made through the company’s philanthropic arm.
“We’re excited about this first project ...
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Ireland
04 May 2010
Clare windfarm may be delayed
The businessman behind plans to construct a €200 million windfarm in west Clare has admitted that may be five or six years before the windfarm becomes operational.
Director of West Clare Renewable Energy, Padraig Howard, said the project may not be operational until then unless Government reform of how connections to the national grid are allocated.
Earlier this year, the company lodged plans for the 31 turbine 410-foot high windfarm on 3,000 acres of upland around Mount Callan over the Atlantic, that ...
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Washington
04 May 2010
Wind turbines going up east of Ellensburg
The Kittitas Valley’s latest wind farm is sprouting into the sky east of Ellensburg.
The first section of turbine tower went up the week of April 5 at the Vantage Wind Power Project site, and the first tower was topped with a completed turbine assembly on April 16.
“We’re moving right along, right on schedule,” said Kelly Meyer, project development manager for Invenergy Wind North America LLC, last week.
Currently, nearly 20 individual turbine sites, out of more than 60 at the wind ...
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Quebec
04 May 2010
Wind power generates turbulence
A report by Quebec’s environmental review agency slams a proposed wind project in central Quebec for shutting local residents out of the planning process.
The 100-megawatt Érable wind farm is scheduled to go into production next year near St. Ferdinand, 200 kilometres east of Montreal.
The report by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) said the 50 wind turbines, which are 138 metres tall, would affect residents’ living environment by altering the landscape and replacing nature’s soundtrack with the swishing of ...
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U.S.
04 May 2010
Wind slowdown continues
There’s more evidence that wind project development in the United States may have reached its high-water mark last year, at least in the short run. The industry lauded its 10,000 megawatts of new capacity in 2009, and knew it would be tough to match this year, even with a strong economic recovery.
But now, the largest owner of wind energy assets in the country is scaling back its wind energy expansion for the year due to “market conditions.” NextEra Energy ...
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North Dakota
04 May 2010
Wind politics could sway policy
Towering 350 feet above the prairie, wind turbines have taken root as a prominent part of the North Dakota landscape. But as they proliferate, issues of how they are sited, how they are funded and how they fit into the state’s energy sources have been growing with their electricity generation.
Supporters of increased wind development say they produce clean energy ...
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Illinois, New York, Opinions
05 May 2010
Movie review: Windfall
Windfall (2009), a documentary about the dark side of wind energy, Directed by Laura Israel, Talking Pictures Festival (May 6-9, Evanston, Illinois)
The May 7 screening of Windfall is sold out. A second screening has been added on May 8 at 11:00 a.m. at NEXT Theatre, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street.
Just a few days ago, The Daily Beast and the Transparency International (TI), a global anti-corruption research organization, examined 500 global companies to determine how corrupt they might be ...
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New York
06 May 2010
Panel reviews effects of wind; Members’ opinions differ on extent of property devaluation
LAFARGEVILLE — Members of the Orleans wind economics committee voiced a range of views on what the effects of a wind farm would be on property values in the town.
Members of the committee, which met Wednesday night, are working on a report that will outline the economic effects for the school districts, participants and town and the effect of turbines in the viewshed on property values.
Leslie T. Henry, a committee member and real estate broker, reviewed a number of studies ...
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Massachusetts
06 May 2010
Harwich Town Meeting nixes wind energy project
HARWICH — The town project to install two 400-foot tall wind turbines on town land in North Harwich was stopped dead in its tracks Tuesday night, after homeowners in the neighborhood convinced voters the installation sites are too close to private homes.
Voters overwhelmingly, in a voice vote, agreed to rescind an article ...
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Massachusetts
06 May 2010
Council puts Scituate wind turbine on hold
SCITUATE – Gloria McConville’s plan to save her family orchard was placed on hold Thursday, April 29, after the Town Council imposed a moratorium on wind turbines.
McConville’s Sunset Orchard and Wind Energy Development LLC of North Kingstown have applied for a zoning dimensional variance and a special permit to erect a 426-foot-tall wind turbine at 244 Gleaner Chapel Road that would generate income to pay taxes and expenses for the farm.
But that must wait until the council drafts an ordinance ...
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Michigan
06 May 2010
Wind ordinance changes recommended
BAD AXE — Huron County planning commissioners voted Wednesday to recommend adopting proposed wind ordinance amendments that increase setbacks and decrease turbine noise limits for nonparticipating landowners.
The proposed ordinance amendments increase the county’s setback ...
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Illinois
08 May 2010
Turbine’s blade damage ‘unusual’
SHABBONA TOWNSHIP – Officials at NextEra Energy Resources aren’t sure what caused one of the three blades on a wind turbine south of the village of Shabbona to fail Friday morning. The 131-foot-long blade hung ...
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New Zealand
08 May 2010
Wind farm noise report ‘indicates’ compliance
The boss of a Manawatu wind farm says he is not accountable to the public concerning doubt the farm is complying with its resource consent.
Despite hundreds of noise complaints about the Te Rere Hau wind farm near Palmerston North, New Zealand Windfarms chief executive Steve Cross said he wouldn’t publicly debate the farm’s compliance with the rules.
He refused to release a report by his company’s noise expert as the report wasn’t designed for the media and “there are enough ...
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Ontario
08 May 2010
Town wants wind farm moratorium
The town of Plympton- Wyoming is asking Ontario to halt wind farm projects until it studies their impact on the health of people living nearby.
Mayor Lonny Napper said town council passed a motion last week calling for the provincial government to impose a moratorium until “a comprehensive, independent and peer-reviewed scientific study can confirm that industrial wind energy sites do not post a risk to community health and environment concerns.”
He also wrote to Sarnia- Lambton MPP Bob Bailey calling on ...
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Michigan
08 May 2010
Few jobs guaranteed for Ludington
About 180 people turned out Thursday night to learn more about plans to place 50 to 100 wind turbines in Lake Michigan near between Pentwater and Ludington.
They also heard a representative of an opposition group list complaints about the proposal.
One point that became clear Thursday is that, if the project is built, the only jobs guaranteed for Ludington would be in maintenance of the wind turbines after they are installed. Other jobs could come in the supply chain, developers said.
Mason ...
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Maine
08 May 2010
CMP signs landmark agreement before PUC
Solar panels connected to smart meters could feed electricity into the power grid, low-income residents could get $2.7 million to weatherize homes, and a special ombudsman could help landowners resolve disputes over power lines.
Those and other measures are in an innovative agreement signed Friday by Central Maine Power Co. and other parties in the utility’s landmark transmission project case before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
In exchange for funding energy-efficiency programs and making other concessions, CMP could begin work, as early ...
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Letters, Ontario
08 May 2010
Rather have chickens
I wish that our neighbours were only planning to have a few chickens next door. Instead, six of them have signed on to build approximately 18 wind turbines.
Instead of chicken coops, we will get 400-foot-high rotating monsters towering over our homes. Eighteen new roads will have to be built to them, each taking close to 60 truckloads of concrete. Once up, they will interrupt our sleep, lower our property values and possibly affect our health. Did I mention that they ...
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England
11 May 2010
Lancaster University wind turbines plan rejected
A university’s plan to build two wind turbines to generate a third of its electricity has been rejected by council planners in Lancashire.
Lancaster University wanted to build the 101m (331ft) high turbines on its Hazelrigg site near the M6 motorway.
But Lancaster City Council’s planning committee rejected the application because of its proximity to nearby residential properties.
The university said it was starting an appeal against the decision.
Lancaster City Council received a number of complaints surrounding the “scale, design and location” of ...
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Massachusetts
11 May 2010
Hull says offshore turbines too expensive
The town of Hull is poised to reject a small offshore wind farm due to high costs that could have boosted electricity rates by up to 25 percent.
Hull, which already has two land-based wind turbines and is considered a big supporter of wind energy in general, is drawing a line at building four additional wind turbines about 1.25 miles off the coast, near Nantasket Beach.
Feasibility studies indicate that the offshore turbines could cost up to $40 million more than originally ...
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Massachusetts
11 May 2010
Higher rates blowing in; Cape Wind contracts could generate $6B tab over 15 years
The controversial Cape Wind project could end up costing ratepayers as much as $6 billion over 15 years – and provide utilities with multimillion-dollar bonus incentives if they buy electricity ...
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Massachusetts
12 May 2010
Billions for Big Wind: Cape plan feeds fear of costly boondoggle
The highly touted Cape Wind project is already stoking fears of an open-ended ratepayer burden and lack of accountability reminiscent of the state’s Big Dig nightmare.
As the Herald reported yesterday, the Cape Wind project, which started out as a $650 million offshore wind farm, has ballooned to more than $2 billion in construction costs and a potential $6 billion hit to ratepayers when debt service, profits, maintenance and other costs are included.
“This is reminiscent of how the cost of the ...
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Opinions, U.S.
12 May 2010
The real problem with renewables
The growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has, predictably, resulted in a new chorus of voices calling for increased use of renewable energy sources. But over the past five decades renewables have actually been losing market share.
In 1949 nearly 91% of America’s total primary energy came ...
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Maine, Vermont, Health, Noise, Wind turbine syndrome
12 May 2010
Are wind turbines hazardous to your health? Docs disagree
Is “wind turbine syndrome” a bona fide medical condition? Reports of people suffering because of their proximity to wind turbines — ...
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New York
14 May 2010
Wind farm mishap draws regulators; PSC mandates safety inspections after fiery Clinton County collapse
ALBANY — After a fiery collapse of a wind power turbine in Clinton County last year, the state wants outside safety inspections before new wind farms can power up.
The decision Thursday by the state Public Service Commission affects wind turbines owned by Nobel Environmental Power, owner of the turbine that failed, as well as future wind farms proposed by any developer, commission spokesman James Denn said.
He likened the requirement to having a garage inspect and certify an automobile’s safety before ...
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Massachusetts
14 May 2010
Falmouth turbine noise fuels debate
FALMOUTH — They described the sound as a jet hovering or an old boot tumbling in a dryer.
But the noise ...
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New York
16 May 2010
Residents voice wind farm concerns
RIPLEY – Town of Ripley residents, and some ...
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Wisconsin, Shadow flicker
17 May 2010
Videos of shadow flicker in Wisconsin
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Europe, Press releases
17 May 2010
EPAW demands moratorium on wind turbine construction in Europe
A petition for a moratorium on erection of wind turbines has been sent to the European Commission and Parliament. Scroll down for German and English translations.
Communiqué de presse
EPAW ( EUROPEAN PLATFORM AGAINST WINDFARMS ) DEMANDE L’ARRÊT IMMÉDIAT DE L’IMPLANTATION D’ÉOLIENNES EN EUROPE.
Berlin, samedi 15 mai 2010
410 fédérations et associations de 21 pays européens se sont regroupées sous forme d’une plateforme européenne contre les éoliennes industrielles (EPAW) ...
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Portugal
18 May 2010
E. ON launches bird migration project at new wind farm
A new wind park, whose turbines have special sensors for automatic stoppage if they sense movement of birds, was opened in Algarve on May 16, by Portugal’s Minister of Economy, Innovation and Development, Viera da Silva.
The 50MW Barao de Sao Joao Wind Park, an investment by E. On Climate & Renewables Iberia, features an innovative system of “bird detection and monitoring” with the goal of safeguarding the biodiversity surrounding the park.
The project, located in the municipalities of Lagos and Portimao, consists ...
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Australia
18 May 2010
Policy yet another blow
A key figure in the local green energy scene has called for changes to a new Coalition wind farm policy but says his company has more critical matters to tackle at present.
Keppel Prince Engineering general manager Steve Garner said Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu failed to consult with industry leaders before launching the plan.
He said the strategy had been badly received by a sector already left vulnerable due to problems with Australia’s renewable energy target (RET), which was found to encourage ...
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Minnesota
18 May 2010
Rural county ‘wind truth’ groups object to noise, impact of turbines
As wind-farm developments turn up around Rochester, so have “wind truth” groups in three southeast Minnesota counties.
So far, Goodhue Wind Truth, Olmsted Wind Truth and Dodge Wind Truth organizations have popped in southeast Minnesota counties of the same names. All three groups maintain websites that contain video of huge wind turbines erected perilously close to homes – underscoring arguments by the anti-wind activists that turbine setbacks ...
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Press releases, Scotland
18 May 2010
Complaint to Highland Council about Dunbeath Wind Farm Hearing
Caithness Windfarm Information Forum (CWIF) has lodged a formal complaint with Highland Council in respect of the conduct of the Dunbeath Windfarm planning hearing.
In February this year, Highland Council’s Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross Planning Applications Committee met to consider the 22 turbine Dunbeath Windfarm.
Instead, the Committee resolved that if five particular turbines were removed, then Highland Council would not oppose the development. Subsequently, the developer submitted a revised scheme and Highland Council has confirmed that it will not oppose ...
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U.K.
18 May 2010
Huhne attacks ’scandalous’ UK wind power waste
The UK’s new energy and climate change secretary has called in his first interview for increased use of wind power and other renewable energy.
Chris Huhne, a member of the centrist Liberal Democrats, was given the post after his party entered a coalition government with the centre-right Conservative party after last week’s inconclusive general election.
It is the first peacetime coalition government in the UK for 70 years.
Huhne told the BBC that he thought “the most scandalous legacy” of the past 13 ...
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California
18 May 2010
Caution: Wind turbines ahead
REDDING — If you’re driving in the northern part of the Central Valley this summer, watch out for wind turbines on the road.
There are 44 wind turbines that will be transported to the Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm near Burney starting May 24 and continuing through the end of July, says the California Department of Transportation.
Each wind turbine is made up of eight main components, some up to 185 feet long. Large parts will be delivered daily to the wind farm ...
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Australia
18 May 2010
Blow in wind farm pledge
The Victorian Coalition did not consult with local councils or their peak body before pledging to give them control over wind farm applications.
The Coalition last week promised to place councils in charge of all wind farm proposals if it won the November state election.
Councils currently rule on wind farm applications of 30 megawatts or less, leaving most to be decided by Planning Minister Justin Madden.
But Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill Macarthur said councils did not have the resources to ...
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Ohio
18 May 2010
State to decide wind farm projects
VAN WERT — Because of the state’s efforts to enhance renewable energy in Ohio, at least seven projects are presently in the works around the “Buckeye State.” Three of the proposals seek to develop wind farms across the Van Wert/Paulding county line.
Iberdrola Renewables, Horizon Wind Energy and National Wind are the companies involved. Iberdrola Business Developer Dan Litchfield said his organization is the second-largest of its kind in the United States.
“Our project is called the Blue Creek Wind Farm and ...
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Massachusetts
19 May 2010
Plan tackles wind turbine transportation difficulties
SAVOY — Minuteman Wind LLC has resolved how to transport five massive wind turbines to West Hill, ending a potential roadblock to the long-planned $35 million project, Steven Barrett, a vice president of the company said Monday.
The Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission had maintained in comments in January, during the state’s environmental review process, that the turbines would not be able to be moved safely and practically the way Minuteman had proposed, chiefly along Routes 20 and 7.
In response, Barrett ...
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Massachusetts
19 May 2010
Wind energy amendment would keep project alive
DOUGLAS — Selectmen last night voted to open a warrant for a special town meeting to be held on June 21, the same evening as continuation of the annual town meeting, to consider a proposed amendment to the recently passed wind energy zoning bylaw.
The new bylaw, which was adopted at town meeting May 3, includes site criteria that developers say would “effectively kill” the Douglas Woods wind farm project. The 11-turbine, 27.5-megawatt capacity project had already received a height ...
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Oregon
19 May 2010
Wind farms in Hood River? County Commissioners vote no — opposition wins!
Hood River County Commissioners voted unanimously in their regular Board of Commissioners meeting on May 17, to quit their plans to build a county-owned and -operated industrial wind farm in the heart of Hood River County, Oregon.
They voted on the basis of the results of a recently authorized financial study, which showed far less revenue than originally forecasted, and far more risk.
Had it not been for strong resident opposition to this project, the county may have authorized further work, which ...
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Oregon
19 May 2010
Hood River County says no to wind farm
A controversial plan to build a county owned wind farm near Hood River is dead.
County officials came up with the idea as way to make up for falling revenues ...
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Maine
19 May 2010
Bucksport Council nixes wind power
BUCKSPORT — The Town Council is indefinitely postponing wind power exploration.
Council members voted May 13 to suspend wind power efforts at the recommendation of the Finance Committee.
“They felt that building a wind turbine at the middle school would not be an economically viable project,” said Town Manager Roger Raymond.
Town officials had been investigating whether it would be feasible to install a 100kw community wind turbine off Miles Lane.
Preliminary estimates found that such a turbine would run at an annual loss ...
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Washington
19 May 2010
Radar Ridge: PUD balks
The Grays Harbor PUD will not move forward with the proposed Radar Ridge wind energy project in Pacific County and won’t fund additional environmental reviews that could delay or doom the effort, commissioners decided on Monday.
Echoing earlier skepticism that the project’s permits will ever be issued, the three PUD commissioners again took no action to authorize an increase of $1.14 million for the utility’s share of pre-construction costs. After an executive session, the commissioners announced their position, which effectively ...
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Maine
19 May 2010
Rockland cools to wind power
Two city committees have recommended a moratorium on wind turbines in Rockland.
But city councilors said they saw no need for a moratorium, saying that an existing height ordinance should prevent any commercial wind power projects ...
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Vermont
20 May 2010
PC urged to “create a path” for wind farm developers
For almost three hours, residents, planners, elected officials and residents of Waitsfield, Warren and Fayston asked rapid-fire questions of the Citizens’ Wind representatives who came to town to discuss why a wind farm would work on the Northfield Ridge.
The basement of the Waitsfield United Church of Christ was full for the May 18 hearing before the Waitsfield Planning Commission. Randy Male and Ben Axelman of Citizens’ Wind, a for-profit subsidiary of the not-for-profit Citizens’ Energy of Massachusetts, were on hand ...
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Vermont
20 May 2010
Lowell wind challenged at co-op’s annual meeting
SHELDON – David Hallquist, chief executive officer of the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), was able to give a generally positive report to co-op members at the VEC annual meeting Saturday morning. But he found himself on the defensive during question time as opponents of plans to build a commercial wind power project in Lowell demanded that he address their concerns.
Mr. Hallquist told the more than 100 members who showed up at the Abbey restaurant here for the meeting that the ...
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Vermont
20 May 2010
Voters want party status but don’t oppose wind turbines
ALBANY — The proposed Lowell Mountain wind project won a split decision at a special Town Meeting here Tuesday night.
One hundred voters crowded the town hall to decide that Albany should seek party status when the project is considered by the state Public Service Board.
But in a second vote, they decided not to oppose the project.
As interpreted by Moderator Marcellus Cubit, the 45 to 56 defeat of a motion to oppose the project doesn’t mean that Albany supports the Lowell ...
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Maine, Vermont, Health, Noise
20 May 2010
Wind turbines will harm health according to doctor
MONTPELIER — A doctor who has studied the health effects of a commercial wind power project in northern Maine brought his conclusion to the State House Friday morning, May 7.
“There is absolutely no doubt that people living within 3,500 feet of a ridge line arrangement of 1.5 megawatts or larger turbines in a rural environment will suffer negative effects.”
The conclusion is in a statement distributed at Dr. Michael Nissenbaum’s press conference, held in the middle of one of the busiest ...
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Massachusetts
21 May 2010
Savoy ZBA OK’s wind farm
SAVOY — It only took the Zoning Board of Appeals 10 minutes at Thursday night’s meeting to approve the special permit for Minuteman Wind LLC’s proposed five-turbine wind farm on West Hill — ending more than year of negotiations.
Minuteman Vice President Steven Weisman said that if all goes well getting Conservation Commission approval, the company hopes to break ground either late this fall or early next spring. The $35 million project calls for installing five 400-foot wind turbines on 290 ...
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Massachusetts
21 May 2010
Coakley to review wind deal
The state’s top attorney, a supporter of the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm, is the lead advocate for electric ratepayers who might be affected by the project’s cost.
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is asking for $150,000 ...
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New York
21 May 2010
Lawsuit ruling being appealed
ORANGEVILLE — Clear Skies Over Orangeville is appealing last month’s State Supreme Court ruling against the group’s lawsuit.
The group sent notices to Invenergy and the town last week.
“We showed that background sound levels in an area where Invenergy plans to site turbines are about 25 decibels, and (the State Department of Environmental Conservation) classifies sound increases more than 20 deicibels as ‘intolerable”’ said Gary Abraham, CSOO’s attorney.
“That should be enough to cause a court to make the town analyze the ...
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Australia
21 May 2010
Towns split on which way the wind blows
Two wind farms totalling 124 turbines are proposed for an area that has been mooted as a housing growth corridor between Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, dividing the local communities and sparking a political spat.
It is also in an area encompassing or neighbouring three marginal Labor state seats, two of them held by ministers.
No doubt with this in mind, a week ago state Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu announced a new Coalition policy on siting wind farms, giving local shires more power ...
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Letters, Ontario
21 May 2010
Wind industry threatens navigable waters
The Whig-Standardresponded in an editorial to the announcement of the latest local wind speculation on the shoals of the St. Lawrence River by questioning the government’s wisdom of awarding a contract for an unprecedented offshore project in advance of any regulatory framework or environmental assessment regime.
“Why has the government approved a project for which it admits regulations must be created? This creates an unfair process.” (Renewable energy projects pose unanswered questions, April 21).
It would seem clear ...
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Washington
22 May 2010
Birds key roadblock to wind farm plan; Audubon society says it’s unlikely to drop objections
New efforts are under way to try to rescue funding and support for the Radar Ridge wind energy project in Pacific County, but the Seattle Audubon Society still has no intention of softening its opposition based on the potential impact to marbled murrelets, a protected species of seabird.
Matt Mega, the Audubon Society’s conservation director, said that even if funding continues and a more extensive environmental impact statement is completed, his organization would still be opposed to the wind project ...
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Ontario
23 May 2010
Wind turbines generate controversy
The wind whistles through the long, spring grass.
Birds chirp as they chase each other across the open sky.
The odd moo carries across the fields as cattle graze in the distance.
Can you hear it?
It’s what many here call a beautiful silence.
And many, like Gary Chandler, want to keep it that way.
Outside Chandler’s home, North Gower’s vast backdrop of abundant farmland harkens back to a different, simpler time. But lately life has been anything but simple for Chandler, who has lived on ...
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Malta
23 May 2010
Underwater cave find threatens wind farm
The rare discovery of two large underwater ‘caves’, found on the reef where the government plans to build an offshore wind farm, could pose a threat to the project.
The reef off Mellieħa was chosen as the site of Malta’s first offshore wind farm because it is the only area of the seabed around the islands that is shallow enough to cater for today’s technology.
But if the reef turns out to be unstable or hollow in some areas, it would be ...
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Letters, Massachusetts
23 May 2010
Wind energy siting reform would limit citizen appeals
Regarding Richard Elrick’s May 16 letter, I find it curious that the treasurer of an organization devoted to the promotion of wind energy is apparently unaware of the Wind Energy Siting Reform Act currently pending in the House Ways and Means Committee.
The bill seeks to streamline the permitting process for land-based wind energy projects by taking away the traditional right of affected citizens to file appeals in the court system, while preserving the right of project developers to do so.
I ...
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Ontario
23 May 2010
Rejection of wind farm sought by Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee
THUNDER BAY – John Beals, the Co-Chairman, Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee says, “The attached 4-page letter dated May 3rd, 2010 was issued to the above Ministers to request their intervention to deny approval of a proposed industrial wind energy development project on the Nor’Wester Mountain Range and the Loch Lomond Watershed in the Thunder Bay area.
“Copies were also provided to the local Mayor and Council and several other Ministers, including the local Hon. Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, ...
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Ontario
23 May 2010
Wind turbines not silent
Ka-thump. Ka-thump. Ka-thump.
That’s how it sounds in Ed and Gail Kenney’s home when the wind is blowing on Wolfe Island where they have 86 turbines as neighbours.
Completed last summer, the Wolfe Island EcoPower Centre can generate 198 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 75,000 homes per year.
The Kenneys know better than anyone how wind turbines can change a place. Their home sits 800 metres ...
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Massachusetts, Tennessee
24 May 2010
Alexander calls Cape Wind a taxpayer rip-off
WASHINGTON – Clean-energy proponents who want to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels celebrated last month when the federal government approved the nation’s first offshore wind farm off Cape Cod, Mass.
“It’s obviously a history-making project,” said Tom Vinson, director of federal regulatory affairs for the American Wind Energy Association.
But to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, the $1 billion Cape Wind project is a costly, colossal mistake.
“It’s a taxpayer rip-off,” the Maryville Republican said. “It creates a puny amount of very ...
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Massachusetts
25 May 2010
Moon Island wind turbine proposal draws questions; Residents worry about noise, views
QUINCY — More than 75 Quincy residents gathered at Squantum Elementary School on Monday to question officials about a wind turbine proposed by Boston for Moon Island.
Residents were concerned the 398-foot-high turbine, to be located almost 1 mile ...
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Denmark, Opinions, U.S.
25 May 2010
Obama’s model ‘green’ country? Denmark evicts citizens, clear-cuts forests for windmill space
President Obama was caught flatfooted by the embarrassing truth about Spain’s “green economy” after he instructed us — on eight separate occasions — to “think about what’s happening in countries like Spain” as a model for a U.S. future. Spain, of course, is suffering an economic meltdown ...
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Ontario
26 May 2010
Local opponents slam report; Still concerned about impact of wind turbines
OXFORD CENTRE — It is home to birds and bats and, during their annual migration, hundreds of Monarch butterflies descend on his rural property.
Owner John Eacott says he has lived happily on his 2.4-hectare (six acre) Curries Road spread since 1973.
But what Eacott is not happy about is a proposed wind turbine project that, when completed, will be located about one kilometre ...
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Scotland
27 May 2010
Save the Borders hills protest walk planned; Campaigners against more wind farms in Lammermuirs
The fight to save Berwickshire’s hills ...
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Michigan, Video
28 May 2010
Homeowners file lawsuit over wind turbines
At least two members of the Planning Commission responsible for addressing a number of complaints about noise have contracts to install turbines on their own property.
...
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Wisconsin, Video
28 May 2010
Wind Wars: Parts 1-3
Part 1: Wind proposal dividing communities, May 4, 2010
MORRISON – Imagine dozens of wind turbines, standing 400 feet tall, stretching across the farm fields of southern Brown County.
They’d be spinning, day and night, for at least the next 30 years.
Some believe it’s a picture of progress.
“Of course it is. Wind has been used since the beginning of time,” said Glen Martin, a landowner in the town of Morrison.
Others see it as a major misstep.
“What do you do when the wind ...
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Ontario
29 May 2010
Lawsuit planned over turbines
The first local lawsuit over wind turbines is shaping up in Amherstburg if the town issues a building permit — as expected — for the $25-million GenGrowth South Side project.
Mick MacCorquodale said Friday he’s retained a Windsor lawyer to file objections to the issuance of the building permit by the municipality.
MacCorquodale’s home is near the five turbines proposed.
Coun. Rick Fryer said he and other members of council have been told the GenGrowth building permit will be issued by chief building ...
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Australia
29 May 2010
An ill wind blows in
It’s a cold night in a quiet town, a wide black sky cut by the warm yellow of a lit building.
Thick jackets are worn by most of those inside Penshurst’s Senior Citizens clubrooms, who pull chairs together and wait for the meeting to start.
For all of the benefits linked to wind farms — jobs, clean energy, extra income for landholders — there is also increasing talk of their downsides.
Depression, nausea, heart palpitations, sleepless nights and ringing in the ears are ...
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Pennsylvania
29 May 2010
Judge OKs Butler Township’s revocation of windmill permit
A Schuylkill County judge on Friday rejected a Gilberton company’s appeal of the Butler Township Zoning Hearing Board’s rejection of its plan to build 27 windmills along the top of Ashland Mountain.
In a 17-page opinion, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled Broad Mountain Development Co. LLC did not show the board erred or abused its discretion in revoking its zoning permit for the wind turbines on 1,110 acres.
The decision at least temporarily ends the proposed construction in Butler Township of the ...
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Ontario
29 May 2010
Forum blows hot over Scarborough wind farm
Opponents of a proposed wind farm off the Scarborough Bluffs have adopted the old Bob Dylan folk classic, with their own spin, as a rallying cry: ‘the answer is not blowing in the wind.’
About 150 residents ...
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Michigan
29 May 2010
Residents sue wind companies
HURON COUNTY — Citing a loss of property value and quality of life as a result of the Ubly area Michigan Wind I development, 16 Huron County residents filed a lawsuit earlier this month against the wind project’s various companies.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed May 11 in Huron County Circuit Court against John Deere Renewables, Deere & Company (John Deere), Noble Environmental Power, LLC, Michigan Wind I, LLC (Noble Thumb Windpark I) and RMT, Inc., the plaintiffs are ...
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California
30 May 2010
Some Ocotillo residents angry with development, say it will spoil the desert
OCOTILLO — Ocotillo is the “red-headed stepchild” of Imperial County, said some of the residents, who added they would rather secede into San Diego County than deal with proposed developments around the town.
With the proposed solar panels to the east, Wind Zero project to the south and Sunrise Powerlink and wind farm to the north and west, residents, like James “Jimbo” Rowland, say they feel they are being surrounded and pushed out.
“We’re the town that nobody wants,” Rowland said. “They ...
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Scotland
30 May 2010
Small wind farms could get green light from proposed loan fund
Plans by communities and landowners to build small wind farms could soon be driven by a government loan fund that would pay for planning applications, the Sunday Herald can reveal.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead is understood to have tasked civil servants with developing proposals that would enable communities and other small developers to make planning applications to their councils without having to risk hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process.
Based on ideas put forward by Mackie’s ice cream chairman and ...
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News
30 May 2010
How will new wind rules affect Kittitas Valley?
ELLENSBURG — At 70 feet in the air, Marilyn Carr’s private wind-power turbine on her Fourth Parallel Road property southeast of Ellensburg sometimes attracts attention. Carr, a retired Kittitas Valley family physician, gets a phone call once in a while from someone wanting to come to her Badger Pocket home to take a look at the tallest, private small-wind generator in Kittitas County.
The 70-footer is also believed to be the first private wind unit to go up in the county.
That ...
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Pennsylvania
30 May 2010
Wind farm scare has workers on edge
ADAMS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two men working on wind turbines in Adams Township become the target of a sniper earlier this month, now another incident Friday causes panic. Everpower workers called police on Friday to report two men with guns. When police got on scene they discovered two turkey hunters with rifles. Police said they weren’t a threat but it’s showing how shook up these workers are.
Earlier this month a man driving a blue pick up truck took shots at ...
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Ontario
30 May 2010
Ontario health, environment officials agree: on-the-ground sound measurement is needed near wind farms
Over the past week or so, two reports from Ontario have spurred a fair amount of notice and comment among those following wind development issues. First, the provincial health office responded to the public’s concerns about health problems reported by some wind farm neighbors, framing its answer carefully and narrowly: ”According to the scientific evidence, there isn’t any direct causal link between wind turbine noise and adverse health effects,” said Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, as reported by ...
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England
30 May 2010
Baumber wind farm decision to be made during enquiry
The decision on whether to give the go ahead for Enertrag UK Ltd to locate a wind farm at Chase Farm, Baumber, is due to be made at a three-week-long public inquiry beginning on October 5.
East Lindsey District Council, the Ministry of Defence and Baumber Wind Farm Action Group (BWAG) are expected to oppose the plans at the meeting in Minting Village Hall.
ELDC unanimously objected to the application, to site eight 125-metre-high turbines at Chase Farm, at a planning meeting ...
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Ontario
29 May 2010
Lawsuit planned over Amherstburg turbines
The first local lawsuit over wind turbines is shaping up in Amherstburg if the town issues a building permit — as expected — for the $25-million GenGrowth South Side project.
Mick MacCorquodale said Friday he’s retained a Windsor lawyer to file objections to the issuance of the building permit by the municipality.
MacCorquodale’s home is near the five turbines proposed.
Coun. Rick Fryer said he and other members of council have been told the GenGrowth building permit will be issued by chief building ...
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California
30 May 2010
Renewable footprints: Ocotillo is Ground Zero for green developments
OCOTILLO — The open, wind-swept terrain here makes it an ideal area for Imperial County’s renewable energy projects, but residents have varying views about the modern development.
“I think it’s a really good idea bringing jobs and boosting the economy a lot out here,” Ocotillo resident Rodger Meier said about renewable projects.
Among the most visible renewable energy projects would be the proposed Ocotillo Express windmill farm. The project would bring 240 windmills near the Ocotillo area in about five years.
At ...
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Scotland
30 May 2010
Protest stops work on wind masts
Work on erecting wind data masts in Shetland has been suspended after a peaceful protest by opponents to a massive windfarm proposal in the isles.
Sustainable Shetland said developer Viking Energy Partnership contravenes a planning condition which would prevent them from erecting three 70 metre high masts during the bird breeding season.
Viking Energy Partnership, a company owned by Scottish & Southern Energy, the Shetland Charitable Trust and four local shareholders, said the local authority’s planning department had granted planning permission in ...
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England
30 May 2010
Wind mast bid sparks fury
A windfarm company has been accused of “prolonging the agony” of residents living near to a proposed turbine site in north Northumberland, after submitting an application for a test mast.
Energy giant E. ON’s latest bid involves a 60-metre anemometer at West Ancroft, north of Lowick and west of Holy Island, to collect wind data.
But it has already submitted a formal planning application for eight 115-metre turbines on the site, which is expected to be determined in the summer.
And furious locals say ...
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Maine, Opinions
31 May 2010
This is Maine
We all like to think that Maine really is the way life should be; beautiful mountains, wild coastlines, and good old-fashioned people. The kind of people who would do anything for a neighbor, and who always strive to do what’s right, no matter what the cost.
No one wants to think that Maine is the kind of place that could ever harbor the type of corruption and intimidation that made Chicago so famous during the early part of the 20th century. ...
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Ontario, Opinions
31 May 2010
Wind power must be weighed in several ways
The wait is over. Now, we’ve been officially told. In Ontario, wind turbines are not a health problem.
That’s the word from Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health. Some people living within the vicinity of wind turbines have been reporting dizziness, headaches and sleep disturbance. The complaints prompted King’s office to conduct a review of previously published studies mainly from abroad, and current legislation here.
When she put them together, she concluded Ontario’s nearly 700 wind turbines are not ...
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Letters, Ohio
31 May 2010
Wind turbines mean ‘green’ for GE’s coffers
Let’s talk about wind power in Lake Erie (“GE to build wind turbines for test run on Lake Erie,” May 24).
Projects like this would never get off the ground if it weren’t for massive tax breaks and government subsidies. But even then, wind power would still be so costly that FirstEnergy wouldn’t touch it if it weren’t for the legal requirement that Ohio utilities buy 12.5 percent of their energy from “renewable sources,” like wind, by 2025.
The main argument for ...
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Rhode Island
31 May 2010
Wind farm debate continues
Last Thursday morning some 60 people gathered at St. Andrew Parish Center to hear from several island residents on matters related to the proposed Block Island wind farm. Billed as an informational session, the meeting was arranged by Patricia Doyle, who had attended the House hearings in Providence on May 12.
Doyle said she was “so moved by the process of the hearing,” learned so much about government in action and was so impressed by testimony given that she wanted to ...
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Letters, Massachusetts
31 May 2010
Falmouth’s responsibility is to its residents’ health
When the well-being of Falmouth residents is at possible risk, it is appropriate to proceed with caution. This is what our neighbors to the north are echoing to their government officials. Halt the turbine whirlwind!
The industrial-scale enterprise being deployed in our town and throughout our commonwealth is being conducted similarly. Full knowledge and investigation of the health implications have not been given due diligence. Municipalities and state legislators are creating industrial wind turbine bylaws that do not protect communities.
It is ...
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Maine
31 May 2010
Will birds and wind farms compete?
Researchers have begun the first electronic tracking studies ever done in Maine to determine whether migrating birds might be disturbed by floating wind turbines off the coast.
They’ve implanted satellite transmitters inside four common eiders in Casco Bay and are keeping tabs on their movements.
The female ducks are staying close to their island nesting grounds for now. Later in the year, the transmitters hopefully will show whether they winter with groups of sea ducks farther out to sea, possibly in areas ...
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Letters, Virginia
31 May 2010
A U-turn on wind farms
Recently, it came to light that a wind farm is proposed on Poor Mountain. On the surface, this proposal seemed like a good idea to aid in our reduction of coal-based energy, which can be devastating to our environment.
I believed this idea, having not researched beyond the mainstream green value of this concept. Thankfully, a neighbor dug into this to see the outcomes in other areas where these farms have been installed. After reading his research, I felt compelled to ...
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Scotland
31 May 2010
Turbine plan fails to get planning backing
A plan to build a windfarm in rural Aberdeenshire has failed to win crucial backing from council officials after running into strong opposition from neighbours.
Aberdeenshire planning officers have recommended councillors reject proposals for a series of 300ft turbines across two-and-a-half acres of land near Auchnagatt.
Local farmer David Smith had originally planned to build nine masts, but this was scaled down to four last year after complaints from residents.
Now the number of turbines has been dropped to three, but the ...
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Letters, Ontario
31 May 2010
Talk to ill persons
Re: No proof wind turbines hazardous to health: report, May 21.
This “study” on wind turbine noise and health effects was a review of selected documents. It did not involve speaking to a single person experiencing health effects. When sleep is disturbed, health suffers.
The Ontario government must really be worried that there are now more than 50 communities in Ontario protesting the rapid installation of industrial wind turbines in regards to the effects on health. Why not do a simple sleep ...
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England
31 May 2010
Inspector will visit proposed wind mast site
A government planning inspector has been brought in to try to settle a wind farm row.
Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee has already rejected Severn Trent Water’s plans for a 196ft (60m) wind monitoring mast at Aston Hall, Aston-By-Stone, near Stone.
But Severn Trent has appealed against the planning refusal and an inspector will now be visiting the site next month.
The firm wants to use the temporary equipment for two years to see whether the location would be suitable for three ...
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Australia
31 May 2010
Wind farm may power Hobart
Hobart City Council is considering building a wind farm and wants other Tasmanian councils to back the plan.
The potential wind farm would cover the council’s $3 million power bill and reduce the city’s reliance on coal-fired power.
Hobart City has written to all Tasmanian councils asking them to join the project.
Acting Mayor Helen Burnett says tenders have been called for a report to investigate the viability of the project.
“To consider the residential amenity, the environmental impacts the suitability of a wind ...
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Australia
31 May 2010
City council to take alternative route to renewable energy
The City of Sydney is expected to turn its back on an important part of state and federal efforts to tackle climate change by withdrawing from the GreenPower scheme and instead pursuing its own renewable energy projects.
The council is expected to endorse a motion at tonight’s meeting to not renew its GreenPower purchase contract and instead create a $2 million a year renewable energy fund to finance such projects directly.
”Rather than just offsetting our electricity emissions, this strategy invests the ...
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Letters, Massachusetts
31 May 2010
Question credibility of Minerals Management
Lawmakers are examining the leadership of the Minerals Management Service, a bureau of the Department of the Interior. The Interior Department is charged with enforcing environmental and safety rules for energy exploration.
On April 28 Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced his decision at a joint Massachusetts State House news conference with Gov. Deval Patrick voting to go forward with the Nantucket wind turbine project. The same day of this decision, more than 5,000 barrels of oil had poured into the Gulf ...
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Colorado
28 May 2010
Holy Cross plan could spur local green energy projects
ASPEN, Colorado — A new initiative by Holy Cross Energy could spur development of solar and wind farms in the Roaring Fork Valley and possibly hydro and biomass plants.
The Holy Cross board of directors voted at its monthly meeting in May to put out two requests for proposals — one seeking production of up to one megawatt of solar photovoltaic power and another seeking up to 10 megawatts of non-solar energy generation.
Holy Cross currently has nearly 1.5 megawatts of locally ...
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Canada, Maine
28 May 2010
Renewable energy credits could determine Maritimes-Maine transmission line
Another transmission line between the Canadian Maritime provinces and Maine is likely, but the economics of getting power to the border must be favorable, and that could depend on New England’s renewable energy credits, according to a local attorney and former energy industry official.
Thomas Welch, a former member of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, is now an attorney in Portland, Maine, with the firm Pierce Atwood and worked with local utility Central Maine Power Co. on a proceeding in which ...
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