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.
EU’s top court to rule on Tipperary wind farm planning
The EU’s top court is to rule later this month on whether An Bord Pleanála properly assessed the environmental impact on the habitat of the hen harrier of a proposed €80m wind farm in Tipperary. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has said the challenge by environmentalists to the proposed wind farm (which would be within a designated special protection area) is likely to set case law on wind farms and protected habitats. An Bord Pleanála had . . . Complete story »
Texas regulators fear customer risk from Wind Catcher
AUSTIN, Texas – Regulators threw a wrench in American Electric Power’s massive Wind Catcher Energy Connection on Thursday, expressing concerns over whether the company will protect ratepayers from the project’s risks. Public Utility Commission Chair DeAnn Walker made that clear following oral arguments in the contested proceeding involving AEP subsidiary Southwestern Electric Power Co. and several consumer groups (Docket No. 47461). “I’m going to be upfront with you,” Walker said, addressing AEP CEO Nick Akins, her fellow commissioners and others in . . . Complete story »
Tories zap 200+ Southwestern Ontario green energy contracts
More than 200 Southwestern Ontario projects, including one of the most controversial wind farms in Ontario, are among the death toll of the new Tory government’s mass cancellation of contracts with renewable energy producers. The doomed projects, announced by Doug Ford’s government as it underlined its vow to cut electricity bills by 12 per cent, number 758 provincewide including proposed wind farms with highrise-sized turbines and several hydro-electric projects. Solar energy contracts, large and small, dominate the list of deals . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind decommissioning costs could top £3bn, report finds
Offshore wind farm decommissioning could top £3 billion, according to a UK Government report released last night. The Cost Estimation and Liabilities in Decommissioning Offshore Wind Installations report, published by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) concluded that the cost of of offshore wind decommissioning could be between £1.28bn and £3.64bn. The report, which included a number of Scottish wind developments, forecast that the actual cost would be around £1.82bn. It concluded that “highly volatile” vessel rates, . . . Complete story »
Jenne criticizes Republican senators for not supporting bill limiting wind turbines near Drum — senators disagree
During an interview on Tuesday, state Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, said that the responsibility for the failure of her bill that attempted to block wind development near Fort Drum rested partially on local Republican state senators. Ms. Jenne said she discussed the bill with Sens. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, and Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, and if either had introduced the bill concurrently it would have had a better chance in the Assembly. “Neither of the senators introduced the bill . . . Complete story »
Villenova Town Board tables windmill vote
VILLENOVA – Following the county planning board’s decision to table its recommendation to the Hanover and Villenova town boards regarding the proposed amendments to the Ball Hill Wind Project, the Villenova Town Board passed a resolution granting the county an extension until July 30. Although Villenova’s contentious public hearing on June 26 revealed a rather divided community, Town Supervisor Richard Ardillo said that Wednesday night’s town board meeting was very calm and respectful. “I would say there were about 20 to . . . Complete story »
The turbine timebomb
As we swelter in this fine summer, I wonder if any readers know that we could all be in grave danger from the dreaded “Tickenden Zeitbomben”. Is it a fearsome Scottish cleg? Is it the fabled Loch Ness Monster? No, but it could be much closer to you than you think and potentially extremely dangerous as we are importing more to this country than ever before. In fact, our once beautiful countryside is now littered with them so they are . . . Complete story »
Another wind farm could come to Henry County
GALESBURG – A fourth wind farm project is in the works for Henry County. Avangrid Renewables, based in Portland, Oregon, has set up seven temporary meteorological towers in the county to gauge the wind resource for its Midland project. Paul Copleman, communications manager for Avangrid, said it’s likely that the project will include 25 to 30 wind turbines, for a total capacity of approximately 100 megawatts. Avangrid expects to pay local landowners $33 million during the first 25 years of the . . . Complete story »
Governor’s push against wind permits gets day in court
PORTLAND, Maine – Republican Gov. Paul LePage‘s lawyers on Friday asked a judge to toss a lawsuit challenging the governor’s executive order to halt wind turbine permits in western and coastal regions of rural Maine. Advocacy groups challenged the constitutionality of LePage’s January order, claiming it’s causing uncertainty in the wind industry. A Cumberland County judge heard arguments Friday. Lawyers for LePage said his order hasn’t blocked wind projects, in part because a governor can’t change laws through executive order. LePage’s . . . Complete story »
Hawaii governor’s race: Clear differences on energy policy
U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s family gas station in Waianae plays a featured role in the gubernatorial candidate’s life story. Her campaign bio leads off talking about the filling station run by her parents, Isao and June. And a sepia-toned photo of the station is prominently displayed on the campaign website, above a picture of Hanabusa as a young legislator at the Hawaii State Capitol. But more than nostalgia links Hanabusa to the fossil fuel industry. Hanabusa served as a director . . . Complete story »
