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.
Planning and Zoning propose commercial wind turbine ban
The Buchanan County Planning and Zoning Commission proposed a total commercial ban for wind turbines in a meeting Wednesday night. This was proposed after discussions regarding potential restrictions, and what would be the setback for the wind turbines, which initially was between a half-mile and a mile. Steven Reardon of Marion Township proposed a motion for a total ban on wind turbines in the county. After further discussion, the proposal was put to a vote. The commissioners voted in favor, . . . Complete story »
Schuylkill Co. commissioners OK zoning ordinance changes
POTTSVILLE – Public opinion and a legal deadline combined to influence the Schuylkill County commissioners to vote Wednesday to adopt a curative amendment to the zoning ordinance to regulate medical marijuana, natural gas compressors and wind turbines. The 2-0 vote – Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier was absent – creates specific zones in municipalities subject to county zoning rules where those facilities can be built, Assistant County Solicitor Glenn Roth said after the commissioners meeting, which attracted about 20 spectators. “It’s going to create . . . Complete story »
Cost of boosting renewable energy mandate gives senators pause
A plan to speed up Vermont’s adoption of renewable energy is hitting headwinds over concerns about potentially enormous costs. Senators seem to support a bill that would require electric utilities to get all of their power from renewable sources by 2030. The state’s renewable energy standard already calls for them to reach 75 percent renewable by 2032. So the new benchmark seemed manageable to members of the Senate Finance Committee. But the bill’s call to double – from 10 percent to . . . Complete story »
Scots offshore wind farm revolution has created just 6% of jobs forecast by ministers
Scotland’s forecast of a jobs bonanza from the offshore wind farm revolution has been described as “a pipe dream” as it emerged it has created just 6% of the 28,000 direct jobs predicted by this year. New official estimates state that there were just 1,700 full-time jobs in the offshore wind sector in Scotland, a fraction of the numbers projected by ministers by 2020. The Scottish Government’s low carbon strategy published in 2010 which described the large scale development of . . . Complete story »
Opinion: Eminent domain is not for sale in Missouri
Imagine if Warren Buffett wanted to build a private toll road across northern Missouri. The billionaire would charge cars $100 apiece to race from his home city of Omaha, Nebraska, to Nashville, Tennessee, pocketing a huge chunk of profit on each trip. He might call it the “Music City Express.” Unfortunately, the toll road would have no exits in Missouri. Cars could only get on in Nebraska and exit in Tennessee. No local residents could use it at all. Even . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plan is paused
Orsted and Eversource, which are jointly developing the proposed South Fork Wind Farm to be situated approximately 35 miles off Montauk, have filed an update to the project’s Construction and Operations Plan with the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The move coincides with the departure of Clint Plummer, who was Orsted U.S. Offshore Wind’s vice president for development. Newsday reported on Tuesday that the federal government’s “Permitting Dashboard” website lists the environmental review and permitting status of the 15-turbine . . . Complete story »
Villagers set for ‘re-run’ of wind farm fight on edge of Glen Affric
Proposals to build a 46-turbine wind farm near Tomich that would be visible as far away as the Black Isle, Alness and the Fort William area have been attacked by locals who fear it could damage tourism. German firm Vento Ludens proposes erecting turbines almost 150 metres high in a scenic area overlooking Glen Affric. The company says it will help meet Scotland’s climate change targets and provide as much as £1 million a year to local communities. But consultation . . . Complete story »
Evidentiary hearings to open over concerns about Skipjack wind turbines
FENWICK ISLAND, Del.- Wind farms are the center of attention once again as evidentiary hearings for the Skipjack project off of the Ocean City coast will soon be opened. The Maryland Public Service Commission said it will open up the hearings to address concerns that were brought up at a public hearing held in Ocean City back in January. The commission will focus on the impact the turbine selection and change will have on local communities. Officials in Delaware, however, . . . Complete story »
County planning commission to tackle wind farm regulations
County planning and zoning officials will direct their thoughts to Article 27 of wind energy conversion systems overlay district regulations during coming meetings in the hope of resolving controversy that arose in recent months over the regulations. Much of the controversy has been spurred by regulations regarding the distance wind turbines must be set back from public roads, property lines of neighboring property, and residential structures not included in the permit area. Concern from nonparticipating landowners spurred them to ask . . . Complete story »
Go to meeting
The future of Chateaugay is at stake. People of Chateaugay, don’t be snowballed by fancy, smooth talkers that are trying to put 750 ft. wind turbines in your town. The words, trust me, come to mind when they say wind tower technology evolves, the blades would become more sophisticated, resulting in less noise. Don’t believe it; they have one thing in mind, that is to get their request approved. Words of hollow meaning that disapate like smoke in the wind. . . . Complete story »
