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.
Expert refutes wind testimony
A noise expert testified Monday during the hearing for the second application for commercial wind turbines in Penn Forest Township. Robert W. Rand was called by the opposition to the project to testify about wind turbine noise. He concluded that the noise expert for Atlantic Wind, Mark Bastasch, had improperly interpreted the ordinance and that the project would not comply with the noise restrictions set by the township ordinance. Rand is the president at Rand Acoustics LLC, a consultant for . . . Complete story »
Fishermen: wind farms bad for business
Federal officials in charge of leasing ocean bottom land to offshore wind farm companies got an earful at a meeting with commercial fishermen Wednesday – and much of it was R-rated. There isn’t merely significant opposition to offshore wind farms; there is 100-percent agreement among the fishermen that the wind turbines will eventually put them out of business. The anger is palpable, and representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management took the brunt of it, enduring a tirade of complaints. . . . Complete story »
Otter Creek project among contract casualties
“The Otter Creek project was not in the best interests of the people of Ontario and specifically, of course, not for this community,” said Violet Towell, a spokesperson for the citizens’ group Wallaceburg and Area Wind Concerns. “That’s not to mention all the costs that are affecting our electricity bills and worsening energy poverty, so yeah, we’re very pleased we’re moving in this direction because we’ve had so many concerns,” Towell said. The cancellations don’t include the most controversial Chatham-Kent project, the 34-turbine North Kent Wind Project developed by Korean industrial giant Samsung and U.S.-based Pattern Energy Group. Already operating, the project spawned the formation of Water Wells First, a citizens group that remains active over concerns that vibrations from the construction and operation of the wind turbines have damaged private water wells in the area. Complete story »
Supreme Court quashes permission for Co Clare wind farm
The Supreme Court has overturned permission for a wind farm in Co Clare due to An Bord Pleanála’s failure to make “complete, definitive and precise” findings required by European law for a valid Appropriate Assessment of the project. The judgment on the challenge by local resident Kathleen Connelly to the proposed development of six wind turbines at Coor West, Shanvogh, addresses important issues of Irish and European law concerning the extent of the Board’s obligations to give reasons for its . . . Complete story »
Deepwater Wind offers offshore information, fishermen want compensation
Deepwater Wind is trying to keep fishermen happy while it builds more offshore wind facilities. The latest effort aims to protect commercial fishing gear, but fishermen and their advocacy groups want broader protections for the fishing grounds and their livelihood. The Providence-based company recently announced a program to inform fishermen of where and when construction and other work occurs at the site of three wind facilities and their electric cables. The offshore wind developer hired liaisons to offer dockside information . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project shelved
Good news for Wallaceburg area residents came Friday from Queen’s Park, as Premier Doug Ford followed through on his promise to cancel renewable energy projects in Ontario. In a release Friday, Ontario Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford announced ratepayers will benefit from $790 million in savings thanks to the government’s decision to cancel and wind down 758 renewable energy contracts, including the Wallaceburg Otter Creek Wind Farm project. “We clearly promised we would cancel these unnecessary . . . Complete story »
Planning approval for Co Clare wind farm overturned
The Supreme Court has overturned planning permission for a Co Clare wind farm due to An Bord Pleanála’s failure to make “complete, definitive and precise” findings required under European law. Permission for the project, a development of six wind turbines at Coor West, Shanvogh, was initially turned down by Clare County Council. The developer then appealed to the board, which approved the project. When making its decision, the board rejected its inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission. It disagreed with various . . . Complete story »
Penn Forest hearing focuses on noise level
PENN FOREST TWP., Pa. – Penn Forest Township zoners heard the testimony of an acoustics expert Monday night who said that an application for 28 wind turbines in the township may not meet noise requirements in the township’s zoning ordinance. Robert Rand of Rand Acoustics LLC testified in the latest of a series of zoning hearings in Penn Forest Township as the municipality’s zoning hearing board weighs whether to approve the application of Atlantic Wind LCC, which is proposing to . . . Complete story »
Lompoc Valley wind-energy project gets a second wind
A wind energy project proposed for the Lompoc Valley has come back to life with a new name, a new applicant and a new look, but at the same site off San Miguelito Road. It’s now called the Strauss Wind Energy Project, and the environmental review process is starting with a scoping meeting planned for 6 p.m Thursday at the Lompoc City Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Plaza. The Santa Barbara Planning & Development Energy Division staff has started a . . . Complete story »
Opposition group continues pressure on wind turbines
As the opposition to the possibility of wind turbines from DTE Energy in Branch County grows, the group leading the opposition is gearing up to attend two governmental sessions this week. Concerned Citizens of Branch County is urging its members to attend the Matteson Township Planning Board’s public work session Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The work session is open to the public, but unlike the Planning Board meeting held June 21 at St. Mary’s School gymnasium which included public comment, . . . Complete story »
