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 project’s future in question
The future of a planned wind project between Albany and Carbon counties is now in question. The result of that could mean the loss of $5 million “impact assistance” funding that governments in Carbon and Albany counties were set to receive from the state. That funding is provided from the state to local governments to offset the impact on social services of big industrial projects like wind farms. “At this point, it’s my understanding the project has ceased or stopped . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines planned for Lammermuir Hills would ‘interfere’ with MoD air defences
Wind turbines planned for Lammermuir Hills would cause “unacceptable interference” to MoD air defence systems, it is claimed. The Ministry of Defence has objected to plans for 11 additional turbines, each up to 200 metres high, at the Crystal Rig Wind Farm amid concerns about the impact on their remote radar and training exercises. The proposals are currently being investigated by the Scottish Government reporter. In a letter to the reporter, the MoD confirmed it is maintaining its objections to . . . Complete story »
Stockyard Hill church demolished as wind farm continues construction
A historic abandoned church in Stockyard Hill has been demolished to make space for the massive Stockyard Hill Wind Farm. The site has now become part of the site office, with truck parking. Minutes from the project's community reference group in July 2018 indicate Goldwind, the company building the wind farm, bought the Stockyard Hill Road block in 2009. Publicly accessible real estate information reveals the site sold for $686,657 in January 2009. There was no heritage overlay over the . . . Complete story »
Protests heat up over Kahuku Wind Farm project
Nikki Schenfeld brings us the latest from the North Shore as protests over the Kahuku Wind Farm project led to 55 arrests. Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested at Kalaeloa – photo gallery
About 75 to 100 protesters gathered at Kalaeloa, including 22 protesters who made a human chain using duct tape and zip ties. Approximately 150 Honolulu police officers were on the scene. Opponents to the planned Kahuku wind farm gathered to protest and form a blockade to stop the trucks moving turbine parts in Kalaeloa. Complete story »
55 protesters arrested as wind farm convoy completes journey to Kahuku
As part of an hours-long operation that stretched from Kalaeloa to the North Shore, police arrested 55 people at two protest sites as they worked to clear a path for a convoy with giant turbines destined for a planned wind farm in Kahuku. The convoy forced the closure of several major thoroughfares, snarling traffic for thousands. Exacerbating the situation: Crews had to respond to a utility pole that had been cut down on Kamehameha Highway near Turtle Bay. Police said . . . Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm building while legal and regulatory challenges loom
Despite years of preparation, the Kahuku wind farm project Na Pua Makai faces legal hurdles that are still under review. Always Investigating found several cases are still not resolved, things that could delay or disrupt the wind farm’s legal rights to proceed. Opponents say all of this should be dealt with before construction starts. Supporters say preparation have been adequate and permissions are proper to proceed. The Intermediate Court of Appeals is reviewing whether a key component of the windmill . . . Complete story »
Is wind energy killing our ducks?
As duck hunters we know, and are constantly concerned about, weather, habitat, spring hatches, pond counts—basically anything that could derail the health of the birds we love to pursue. Unlike whitetails or big game, our quarry migrate up and down four flyways, traversing thousands of miles and inhabiting innumerable wetlands along their journey. This makes them vulnerable, with plenty of ways for doom and gloom to creep in. Nesting and wintering grounds are in jeopardy each season. Wetlands are drained . . . Complete story »
Arrests made in Kahuku as protesters stand ground against North Shore wind farm
A busy morning in Kahuku as crews tried to transport equipment for a controversial wind farm project. Kiai or protectors formed a human chain being zip tied together to prevent equipment from entering the site. Eventually, one by one, Honolulu police arrested the demonstrators. At the end, construction trucks made it into the site. Some kiai who were arrested say that’s not the end of their mission to protect what they believe in. The reason why there’s so much pushback . . . Complete story »
Washington subsidies not helping the wind industry
Last week the lobbying arm of the wind energy industry made an unsurprising, though somewhat embarrassing, announcement. It wants a longer lifeline with federal subsidies. So much for wind being the low-cost energy source of the future. Less than a year ago, the American Wind Energy Association had with great fanfare issued a press statement that as Bloomberg reported: “America’s wind farms are ready to go it alone.” Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a Republican who has strongly supported the . . . Complete story »
