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Wind Power News: September 2006
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Fury over bid for '500' Glasgow wind turbines; Campaigners say wind farms will hit tourism
Windfarms give Scotland a “scarred industrial landscape” and destroy its precious scenery, campaigners claim. They insist not one hill top has escaped the attention of energy firms seeking to turn Scotland into “a huge windfarm for the rest of the UK”. And they claim more than 500 turbines at least 300ft tall, are earmarked for the countryside around Glasgow. The comments come as yet another planning application has been submitted for a windfarm to the south of the city. Spanish . . . Complete story »
DoD's wind farm report leaves questions
The Defense Department on Thursday released a congressionally mandated report that said construction of wind farms should proceed as long as the turbines don’t interfere with military radar. But wind energy advocates said it left many questions unanswered. The Defense Department “fully supports the development of wind farms and other sources of renewable energy, so long as the safety of our airspace is not compromised,” Army Lt. Col. Brian Maka, a department spokesman, said in releasing the report. By working . . . Complete story »
Candidates agree: State energy may be due for change
Republican Jim Barnett thinks hydrogen could be a major player in Kansas’ energy future. Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius says the state should try incentives for contractors to build more energy-efficient housing. The candidates in this fall’s governor’s race offer different ideas for future energy needs and generation in Kansas. But both agree on Kansas’s current situation: The status quo must change. Both say Kansas must seek to depend less on energy created outside the state. They say clean-burning energy should . . . Complete story »
Two out of three North windfarms get go-ahead
Highland councillors approved applications for two windfarms in central Sutherland but turned down a third yesterday. The planning development, Europe and tourism committee approved a 19-turbine development by E.On UK Renewables Ltd at Rosehall Hill Forest and 23 turbines on land owned by Harrods chairman Mohamed Al Fayed at Beinn Rosail, Invercassley, Strath Oykel by Airtricity Developments (UK) Ltd. But an application for 23 turbines at Achany estate, Lairg by SSE was rejected. All three applications drew objections, including petitions . . . Complete story »
Company bidding to build new windfarm
Independent renewable energy company, Your Energy, is looking to create a new windfarm in west Cumbria. The firm, which operates in the UK and France, is proposing seven turbines, which would generate enough electricity for about 4,000 homes, on land at Winscales Moor near Workington. It would be near the existing windfarm at Winscales, between the A595 and A66. Matt Kelly, project manager for Your Energy, said: “This site is suitable for a number of reasons ““ being next to . . . Complete story »
Wind farm 'scar' on area's beauty
Opposition to two Perthshire wind farms has gained the support of MSP Murdo Fraser. The Tory politician, who represents Mid-Scotland and Fife, yesterday told a public inquiry at Amulree village hall he backs Perth and Kinross Council’s rejection of the application by GreenPower to build 68 turbines at Griffin Forest, near Dunkeld, and also a plan to build 27 turbines at Calliacher, near Aberfeldy. He said, “The tourism industry throughout Perthshire accounts for about 15% of all employment in the . . . Complete story »
Dryden Town Board to address renewable energy
The Dryden Town Board will present a proposed renewable energy ordinance for public comment at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The hearing, initially planned at the fire hall, will be held instead at the town hall, 65 E. Main St. The Town of Dryden currently lacks an ordinance regulating renewable energy sources and therefore has been unable to issue related permits. The proposed law, introduced by board member Mary Ann Sumner, would allow households and small-scale businesses to install wind . . . Complete story »
Wind plan gathers steam
FALL RIVER – A recently completed study indicates the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant on Bay Street may be an optimal site for a wind turbine that could drastically reduce the electrical bill associated with the site. Officials with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative reported their initial findings to the City Council Tuesday night, and are recommending that city leaders take advantage of a grant that will pay for a more extensive feasibility study. Members of the Hyannis-based collaborative were asked in February . . . Complete story »
TrustPower removes 'areas of contention' by bypassing DCC
TrustPower looks set to bypass a bitter environmental stoush and get most of its $600 million Mahinerangi wind farm completed by building initially only on Clutha District Councilcontrolled land. TrustPower is to withdraw its consent application from the Dunedin City Council and will apply only to the CDC and the Otago Regional Council for consent. By building the first two stages of its wind farm in the Clutha district, it will not need DCC resource consent for about three to . . . Complete story »
Wind farms approved despite objections
Two proposed wind farms, requiring 42 turbines over 100 metres high to be built in Sutherland, were given the go-ahead yesterday despite opposition from residents. However a third plan for 23 towers in the same area was turned down. Highland Council’s planning, development, Europe and tourism committee approved applications from Airtricity Developments for a 23-turbine project at Invercassley and by E.on UK Renewables for 19 turbines at Rosehall Hill Forest. A third project, from SSE Generation for 23 towers at . . . Complete story »
