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 farm challenging Planning Commission
The Big Blue River Wind Farm, LLC filed an official appeal Thursday about a decision the Henry County Planning Commission made in July. The planning commission voted 4-4 on a request from the wind farm to build more than three dozen turbines in the northwestern part of Henry County. The vote came at the end of a public hearing July 23 in Bundy Auditorium. Attorney Matthew Price, of Bingham Greenebaum Doll, filed a Notice of Appeal on behalf of Big . . . Complete story »
Police arrest Kahuku wind farm opponents staging late-night blockade in Kalaeloa
More than a dozen opponents of a planned wind energy farm in Kahuku were arrested late Thursday in an attempt to block large turbines and other pieces of construction equipment from getting to the North Shore. Police officers began moving in en force just after 11 p.m., hours after protesters first began gathering in Kalaeloa. At least 21 protesters who were sitting in the roadway late Thursday said they were expecting to be arrested for refusing to move out of . . . Complete story »
Norway scraps national wind power plan after protests
Norway has scrapped plans for a national wind power development framework, citing the strength of protests against the proposal. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) had suggested the country’s future onshore wind activity should focus on 13 areas designated particularly suitable for development. But the government said a consultation on the plan prompted 5,000 responses “most of which were critical from private individuals who do not want wind power in their municipality”. Energy and petroleum minister Kjell Børge . . . Complete story »
Evansville-area wind farm would make it harder to forecast tornadoes
Kent Scheller is a big a supporter of renewable energy. Forty-one solar panels shine from his house. So you think he’d be thrilled that another source of clean power may soon invade his hometown of Haubstadt. And in a less complicated world, he would be. But there’s a problem. Because of the area’s close proximity to a weather radar tower, a planned wind farm, which would be built by E.ON Climate & Renewables and stretch across Gibson and Posey counties, . . . Complete story »
Is Germany showing us the future of renewable energy? Let’s hope not
News that Greta Thunberg is visiting Alberta should be welcomed by all Canadians. The teenaged Swedish environmentalist has focused global attention on the climate change debate like never before. So as she tours our province, what better time for a reality check than to look at a country that is furthest ahead in already adapting steps that Greta is advocating. That country is Germany. And it’s not a pretty sight. Germany embraced the rush to renewables before anyone else, and . . . Complete story »
Groups dispute cost of renewable energies
ST. CLOUD – What does it cost to switch to renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power? Isaac Orr, a policy fellow with the Center of the American Experment, looked into the numbers and drafted an analysis far different than projections by Xcel Energy and contested by a clean energy advocate. The Center of the American Experiment is a Minnesota think tank focused on free markets and limited government. “This is not about climate change. This is about regulating every . . . Complete story »
Proposed ordinance has been written for alternative energy farms
We have an update on a proposed wind farm in Posey County. The county’s area planning commission has drafted an ordinance when it comes to wind and solar equipment. After months of meeting and listening to concern, the planning commission is working to get ahead of the growing world that is alternative energy. “Over the course of the last several months, many people have spoken at the area planning commission meetings,” Beth McFadin Higgins says. Officials say they’ve done their . . . Complete story »
Opponents of Kahuku wind farm project block access road in Kapolei as police begin arrests
Update 11:21 p.m. Three protesters have been arrested so far, with the first at 11:16 p.m. All have been carried from the spots where they were sitting. All three arrests have been of women, and although protesters called for female officers to carry them away, police have ignored those requests. Update 11:07 p.m. 21 protesters duct taped and zip tied to each other sat in the middle of the access road for about half an hour, but police have moved . . . Complete story »
County approves plan for 17 wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain; Opponents of proposed wind farm vow to fight on
CUMBERLAND – The Allegany County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 2-1 Wednesday to permit the construction of 17 wind turbines on Dan’s Mountain. The case, which first surfaced in 2015, placed representatives of Dan’s Mountain Wind Farm LLC against a citizens group opposed to the turbines called Allegany Neighbors and Citizens for Home Owners Rights Limited. The vote took place at the Allegany County Office Complex on Kelly Road, a week after the three-member board heard arguments from both sides. Although . . . Complete story »
Government drops state windmill plan
Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s conservative coalition is scrapping a new national wind energy plan that identified specific areas as best-suited for windmills. It proved to be highly controversial, prompting Solberg to back down after massive criticism that huge wind turbines can ruin scenic wilderness and that local objections could be overruled. “This was supposed to be a measure that would ease conflicts,” Solberg told state broadcaster NRK, referring to the “national framework” for land-based wind energy proposed by the state . . . Complete story »
