Wind Watch: Industrial Wind Energy News
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Falmouth town meeting approves $2.5M to dismantle wind turbines
FALMOUTH – The two wind turbines at the town’s wastewater treatment plant have been a source of controversy since they began spinning almost a decade ago, and they proved to be the source of a long debate Wednesday, when town meeting was asked to pay $2.5 million to dismantle them. Ultimately the request was approved by a healthy margin. Before discussion on the expense even got underway, town meeting member Ronald Zweig made an unsuccessful attempt to derail it by proposing . . . Complete story »
Schuyler County residents raise red flags about wind farm approval process
SCHUYLER COUNTY, Mo. – Was a massive wind farm planned for the northeast Missouri area improperly approved by one county commission? County officials say no – while a group of local landowners say they have spotted a few red flags. The High Prairie Wind Farm will consist of 175 wind turbines. It’s expected to be constructed on land in Adair and Schuyler counties. In May 2018, Terra-Gen and Ameren Missouri announced plans to build the wind farm. It will be the largest . . . Complete story »
Rio Dell mayor meets with other group leaders to oppose Terra Gen wind energy project
RIO DELL, Calif. – Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes met with leaders of other groups who oppose the Terra Gen wind energy project Tuesday to reject and express their displeasure with the Final Environmental Impact Report that was released on Nov. 4. In a letter Mayor Garnes wrote to the Humboldt County Planning Commission, she states her opposition to the project citing detrimental impacts to the city’s landscapes and visual surroundings, air quality, and biological and cultural resources. She writes that . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine opponents gearing up for court battle
WHEATLAND TWP. – A grassroots activist group opposing the installation of wind turbines in Wheatland Township is preparing to take their fight to court, after the Township’s Board of Trustees denied their petition for an administrative appeal and request for a hearing. Informed Citizens of Wheatland Township received confirmation this week from their attorney, Nicholas Klaus of Klaus Law, PLLC, that Wheatland Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has denied their appeal. A letter from Stanley M. Sala, Esq., who is . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines off Ocean City would be 200 feet taller than planned, prompting regulators to reopen debate
Developers of two wind farms off Maryland’s Atlantic coast say they will build turbines more than 200 feet taller than those initially proposed, intensifying fears of spoiled views from Ocean City and prompting state regulators to reopen discussion about the projects two years after blessing them. The Maryland Public Service Commission is seeking new input on the potential impact of the windmills, roughly 20 miles from shore but several hundred feet higher than Baltimore’s tallest buildings. Potential impacts could include . . . Complete story »
Citing danger to birds, three conservation groups urge the county to reject the Humboldt wind energy project
Below is a joint press release from the American Bird Conservatory (ABC), the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) and the Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC): The Humboldt Wind Energy Project proposes to place 47 wind turbines on Bear River and Monument Ridges in Humboldt County, California. This proposed project poses substantial risks to federally Threatened species, such as Marbled Murrelet and Spotted Owl, as well as other species of conservation concern such as Bald and Golden Eagle, all of which reproduce . . . Complete story »
Wind farm under scrutiny
As the global concern to act against climate change increases, Humboldt County is in a position to capitalize on an opportunity to establish a significant renewable resource. On Thursday, the Humboldt County Planning Commission votes on the wind energy farm developed by Terra-Gen. Terra-Gen, a Manhattan-based energy company, has proposed a wind farm to be built near Bear River, on Monument Ridge, above the city of Scotia. The Terra-Gen wind farm carries controversy for numerous reasons. The project will help . . . Complete story »
German economy minister defends distance requirements for wind power plants
German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier on Wednesday defended a governmental plan which envisages a mandatory minimum distance between wind power plants and villages of 1,000 meters in Germany. Altmaier said the main problem is that there would not be enough approved locations for wind power plants, adding that approval procedures would often take years. In a letter dated Tuesday, numerous German industrial and wind power associations urged the minister to cancel the planned distance requirements for . . . Complete story »
Forum to explore public health impact of wind energy
The Nov. 21 Wind and Health Forum at the University of Buffalo is being sponsored by the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, New Yorkers for Clean Power, the New York League of Conservation Voters and the Union of Concerned Scientists. The event is open to the public and audience members will be encouraged to submit questions to the panelists. Complete story »
Wind farm firm doubles payment offer to county
A draft of the proposed agreement between Marion County and developers of a proposed wind farm shows the company is offering twice the per-megawatt rate the county is paid by Diamond Vista wind farm in the northern portion of the county. The proposed rate is $1,800 per megawatt over the first 10 years the wind farm operates. The estimated total annual payment is $360,000 for the first year and $330,600 for the following nine years. The payment in lieu of . . . Complete story »
