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Wind Power News: October 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.
Turbine ordinance here to stay
Rick Bonomo said he has spent the past quarter-century renovating an old farmhouse in Brothersvalley Township. Now, the Somerset dentist is upset at the prospect of giant wind turbines on the horizon. But despite mounting opposition to a series of proposed wind farms on the Allegheny Ridge, Somerset County commissioners said Tuesday they will not revisit a controversial ordinance regulating the turbines. Objections have ranged from noise to effects on property values. “Putting these up in our county is industrialization . . . Complete story »
Report details wind turbines' risk
Clusters of high-standing wind turbines similar to one proposed off the South Shore could pose security risks by compromising radar systems for missile-defense and air-traffic control systems, a recent U.S. Department of Defense report concluded. The study, prepared at Congress’ request, draws on previous reviews of the effects of wind farms by the British Ministry of Defense, which found the turbines can have “a significant impact on the operational capabilities of military air defense radar systems,” as well as a . . . Complete story »
Md. wind-power project gets OK
A state Public Service Commission hearing examiner has recommended approval of a third western Maryland wind power project – but with environmental restrictions that could force developer Synergics Inc. to reconsider. The order proposed Monday by Hearing Examiner David L. Moore will become final Nov. 30 unless it is appealed to the full commission. Frank Maisano, spokesman for a coalition of Mid-Atlantic wind-power developers including Synergics, said today the company “may very well” appeal the proposed order. “We’re pleased that they’ve . . . Complete story »
Portugal launches major windfarms project
Portugal launched a €1.6 billion (US$2 billion) windfarms project Tuesday, part of the country’s effort to reduce its heavy reliance on imported energy. Economy and Innovation Minister Manuel Pinho laid the foundation stone of the project which will include seven factories to build wind turbines and the creation of 48 windfarms. A consortium called Eolicas de Portugal won the public tender to produce 1,200 megawatts of clean energy. The government plans to open another tender soon inviting bids to produce . . . Complete story »
Ireland's Airtricity gets funds for U.S. wind farm
Irish renewable energy company Airtricity said on Tuesday it had secured $85 million in equity funding to help develop its Sand Bluff wind farm project near Big Spring, Texas. “We are pleased to have entered into this equity financing with investors led by JPMorgan Capital Corporation,” Airtricity Chief Executive Eddie O’Connor said in a statement. Airtricity said its 90 megawatt Sand Bluff wind farm, which is under construction, was expected to start commercial operation during the second quarter of 2007. . . . Complete story »
Windfarm plan to go on show
The company behind controversial plans to build a windfarm near Wardle are to give local residents a glimpse of their proposals at two exhibitions next week. Renewable energy firm Coronation Power hopes to build about 11 turbines at Crook Hill near Watergrove reservoir, but its proposals have been met with resistance from groups such as the Wardle Society and the Open Spaces Society. A 60m high test mast has already been erected at the site. The exhibitions will include a . . . Complete story »
PSC Backs Windmill Project Restrictions
A state Public Service Commission hearing examiner has recommended approval of a western Maryland wind power project – but with environmental restrictions that the developer has said could force it to reconsider. The proposed order will become final on November 30th unless it is appealed before then. Developer Synergics Incorporated, of Annapolis, wants to place 17 giant turbines along a three-mile stretch of Backbone Mountain about 15 miles south of Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. The order would allow the . . . Complete story »
Wind is unreliable power
I hear comments from some folks who think UPC Wind’s proposed project would lessen our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. They might be surprised to know that, according to the Department of Public Service Vermont Electric Plan, 2005, only 2.5 percent of our electric power is generated with oil. In Vermont, as well as nationwide, transportation use – our gas guzzling cars and trucks – is the major culprit. I couldn’t agree more on the need to cut back on oil consumption . . . Complete story »
Ordinance OK'd to regulate wind farms
TOWN OF WRIGHTSTOWN – The Town Board on Monday approved an ordinance that will regulate wind farms. The ordinance includes two provisions that Forward Energy representative Bill Blackmore opposed during the public hearing that preceded the board’s 3-0 vote. Both have to do with the decommissioning or abandonment of a wind energy project in the future. One provision requires the owner of the large windmills to not only remove the monopole structures, but to also remove the top eight feet of . . . Complete story »
Barton Village seeks wind project details
The prospect of truck traffic carrying wind turbine parts through the village of Barton has prompted officials here to request details on plans for building the proposed Sheffield Wind Farm. “We had been hearing rumors they (UPC Wind Management) were coming up Route 16 (and) turning on to Duck Pond Road,” to deliver construction materials, said Brian Hanson, Barton Village supervisor, who oversees electricity, water, sewer and roads for village residents. “I found out from other parties, then we requested . . . Complete story »
