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.
Wind farms must provide more environmental information to public
A significant High Court ruling means wind farms have greater transparency obligations to the public concerning the provision of environmental information, including about wind turbine noise. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled Raheenlagh Power DAC (RP), which jointly controls a wind farm in the Wicklow mountains with an ESB subsidiary, is a “public authority” under 2007 regulations transposing into Irish law a 2003 European directive on access to environmental information. He overturned a decision by the Commissioner for Environmental Information that . . . Complete story »
Worthwhile wind and solar farm project drawing concerns from residents
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Iowa – Norway Township in the northeast corner of Winnebago County is a pristine, quiet area dotted by snow-covered farm fields. But critics say that the Worthwhile wind and solar farm project will change that. “The developers approached my own family. They were interested in my family’s property for easements for wind turbines and solar panel construction.” Matt Helgeson lives in the area of the projected site, which is planned to be located between Lake Mills and the . . . Complete story »
Criminal investigation launched into north-west landslide
A criminal investigation has been launched into a devastating landslide which transformed a natural beauty spot in the north-west into a murky “black porridge”. Shocking footage of the incident in Mid-November was viewed by thousands online as it showed thousands of tonnes of peat slipping downstream from the top end of the Mourne Beg River in Donegal. John McCartney, director of conservation and protection at the Loughs Agency, told the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on Thursday (January . . . Complete story »
Military training routes halt wind farm efforts
While Washington County is no longer a major part of the formerly named “Washington-Republic Wind Farm,” NextEra Energy Resources project manager Dan Scheffler said the Florida-based company is still evaluating Washington County for wind energy development. In the process of completing their due diligence for the original Washington-Republic project, which was first announced back in 2016, Scheffler said they found out there were conflicts with the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense because of military training routes in the . . . Complete story »
County updates wind, solar energy codes
Updates to zoning codes for wind and solar energy conversion systems were approved by the Monroe County Board during its Jan. 19 meeting. The updates reflect current changes to best oversee safe and efficient growth of these green energy systems that are being increasingly implemented or proposed by individuals and business interests throughout the country. Changes to the wind energy code include increasing the setback required from nearby structures, forbidding shadow flicker on neighboring properties and public roadways, requiring developers . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine plans fanning local residents’ fury
2021 is worrying enough for people thanks to Covid-19 but families in East Cork and West Waterford say they are also now under threat from another source that could have a major impact on their lives. Locals described a planning application made by RWE (formerly Innogy) – under the name Curns Energy Ltd for 17 x 150m high industrial wind turbines at two separate locations as ‘devastating’. Within this well-populated area, there are also plans for a large substation and . . . Complete story »
In Drouloué, the wind power project puts their dream in jeopardy
Installés dans le village de Drouloué à Langonnet, Corinne Grosjean et Yonnel Le Bris mûrissaient un projet d’association de rencontres intergénérationnelles. Un projet qu’ils estiment menacé par l’installation d’un parc éolien près de chez eux. Corinne Grosjean et Yonnel Le Bris sont tombés sous le charme du village de Drouloué, à Langonnet, où ils ont posé leurs valises en 2020. Chacun sa maison et un projet en commun qui germait dans la tête de Corinne depuis une dizaine d’années : « Créer . . . Complete story »
Court ruling means wind farms must provide more information on noise
A significant High Court ruling means wind farms have greater transparency obligations to the public concerning the provision of environmental information, including in relation to wind turbine noise. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled Raheenlagh Power DAC (RP), which jointly controls a wind farm in the Wicklow mountains with an ESB subsidiary, is a “public authority” under 2007 regulations transposing into Irish law a 2003 European directive on access to environmental information. He overturned a decision by the Commissioner for Environmental . . . Complete story »
East Hampton boards approve wind farm agreements
Both of East Hampton’s elected government bodies this week gave their stamps of approval to the landing of the South Fork Wind Farm power supply cable at Beach Lane in Wainscott – and the $29 million the agreements will bring the town. Some members of the Town Board and the East Hampton Town Trustees praised the step as putting the town’s imprimatur on the first step toward a new era of energy production in the United States that they said is . . . Complete story »
Orne: prefecture orders temporary shutdown of wind farm deemed too noisy
La préfecture de l’Orne a ordonné de suspendre temporairement le fonctionnement du parc éolien d’Échauffour, dans l’Orne, affirme France Bleu Normandie le 26 janvier. Un arrêté doit être publié pour mettre en pause les éoliennes, jugées trop bruyantes par les riverains. Le bruit est déclaré supérieur aux normes admissibles par les études acoustiques réalisées sur le terrain. Un audit complet du parc éolien, mis en service depuis deux ans, sera réalisé par la préfecture pendant l’arrêt de l’infrastructure : “Les dépassements identifiés en termes . . . Complete story »
