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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
County residents speak out against wind energy; Council bombarded with anti-wind farm testimony
As debate continues over the construction of wind turbines in Howard County and its neighbors, residents are turning up the heat on officials in an effort to stop development in the southeast corner of the county. Concerned citizens spoke out during Tuesday’s Howard County Council meeting as council members listened to — and at times engaged with — residents during nearly two hours of public comment regarding the potential development of Phase Two of the Wildcat Wind Farm. Many of . . .
Lawsuit against San Diego Supervisors over wind ordinance set for court hearing April 25
A lawsuit filed against San Diego Supervisors asks the court to set aside the County’s new wind energy ordinance and an amendment to Boulevard’s community plan. The case will be heard on Friday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Superior Court, Department C-72, with Judge Timothy Taylor presiding. The courthouse is located at 220 West Broadway, San Diego. The suit was filed by two community groups– the Protect Our Communities Foundation, Backcountry Against Dumps– and by Donna Tisdale, chair of . . .
Britain’s Conservative party pledges to end wind farm subsidies
British Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative party on Thursday pledged to end government subsidies for onshore wind farms if it wins a national election next year, saying many voters did not want any more of them. Michael Fallon, a Conservative energy minister, said that onshore wind still had a role to play in helping Britain meet its energy needs and renewable energy targets, but that the industry no longer required government subsidies. “We now have enough bill payer-funded onshore wind . . .
Failure in rotor hub stalls south wind turbine
Willmar Municipal Utilities south wind turbine was shut down at approximately 1 p.m. Wednesday due to component failure within the rotor hub, said Jon Folkedahl, supervisor of electrical production at Willmar Municipal Utilities. He said a technical crew from turbine manufacturer DeWind is en route to evaluate the problem and arrange for necessary repairs. The south turbine was last out of service for about two weeks in January after a gear pump motor required replacing by DeWind. The south wind . . .
Energy siting committee to be revamped after House passes bill
CONCORD — Lawmakers voted to change the makeup of the committee that approves new or expanded energy facilities and to expand public involvement in the process. The House voted 227-69 Wednesday to approve Senate Bill 245, which lawmakers say will make the site evaluation process more efficient and will require more public information sessions on proposed projects. The bill will now go to the House Finance Committee for review of the potential impact on the renewable energy fund, which would . . .
Turtles vs. turbines
The Ontario Divisional Court has ruled in favor of a wind turbine project that put groups with environmental interests at odds with each other. On one side is an alternative energy project. On the other is protection of a threatened turtle species and fragile soil. Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN) took Ostrander Point Gilead Power Inc. to court to challenge the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s “renewable energy approval” to build nine wind turbines near Lake Ontario in Prince . . .
County appoints wind energy proponent to committee
HURON COUNTY — Two weeks after denying a Detroit Edison representative a spot on the county’s Wind Energy Zoning Subcommittee, the Huron County Board of Commissioners appointed a wind energy proponent and renewable energy consultant to provide what some say is much-needed expertise. Pigeon resident Brion Dickens was granted a seat on the subcommittee by unanimous consent of the commissioners. Dickens, who submitted a resume when he requested the appointment, is the owner of Woodland Wind LLC, Renewable Energy Education . . .
Tories: We’ll end scourge of onshore wind farms
An effective moratorium on new onshore wind farms will be in place within six months of a Tory election victory next year, the party will pledge today. Energy Minister Michael Fallon will say that there is ‘no requirement for any more’ of the turbines erected across the country with little or no regard for the views of local communities. The Conservative manifesto will also pledge to scrap the subsidies paid by bill-payers for onshore wind power and change the planning . . .
Purdue wind farm gets BZA green light
Plans to build a 12-turbine wind farm in northern Tippecanoe County were green-lighted Wednesday by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The forthcoming Purdue Energy Park will be the county’s first large wind energy project. Construction of a dozen 432-foot towers will begin this summer. Though Purdue University isn’t contributing financially, the partnership with Indianapolis-based developer Performance Services will provide the research university with opportunities for data collection, curriculum development and hands-on training, said Ken Sandel, director of physical and capital . . .
Somerset Co. wind farm needs more scrutiny
In response to the April 21 commentary regarding the proposed wind farm in Somerset County (“A wind-win situation”, Pioneer Green (aka Great Bay Wind) claims that they have conducted studies showing that the proposed 600-foot-tall industrial wind turbines proposed for the county will not negatively impact Patuxent River naval station radar operations. During the state Senate hearing on April 1, it was clear after much testimony that included input from representatives of Pioneer Green that members of the delegation did . . .
