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Wind Power News: December 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.
Siting, laws fueling wind turbine debate
To allow, or not to allow five 420-foot wind turbines to be built on West Hill? That’s the question. In 2006, Savoy wind power was the issue that cleaved the town into neat halves: those who support the local project to boost tax revenue and build renewable energy and those who think the turbines will be ugly and a detriment to the environment and property values. Last year’s series of informational town meetings, which were attended by residents and Minuteman . . . Complete story »
Two appeal Sevenmile wind-measuring towers
Two residents who opposed construction of wind-measuring towers on Sevenmile Hill have given notice that they will appeal the county’s decision to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). Gary and Linda Casady, and Mark Womble were the petitioners to LUBA. At issue were requests by UPC Wind Management, LLC for two-year permits to construct a pair of wind-measuring towers – one 164 feet tall and one 197 feet tall – at two properties on Sevenmile Hill. Three other UPC tower . . . Complete story »
Group vows to fight on mountain
Campaigners have vowed to fight tooth and nail against plans for wind farm north of Swansea. Electricity company npower renewables is preparing to submit a planning application for a 34-turbine wind farm on the mountainside of Mynydd-y-Gwair, early in the New Year. But mountainside group Save Our Common Mountain Environment (SOCME) say it plans to contest the proposal. The mountain, they say, is the last wilderness area in Swansea and is extensively used by people resorting to the countryside for . . . Complete story »
Incomplete application rejected
A series of discrepancies in Allan Kettles application to extend his Kettles Hill Wind Farm has led to the Municipal Planning Commission turning it down. Kettles was told that he would not be allowed to proceed with the 45-turbine extension due to some serious omissions in his application. The application was rejected at a Nov. 7 meeting on the grounds that there were persistent changes to the project land parcels, there was not a complete list of all the involved . . . Complete story »
2006 was "The Year of The Wind"
Tax-credit-driven developers – Governor Pataki blessed and encouraged them – ranged the nation’s sixth most populous state seeking to plant 3,200 wind turbines on verdant fields and ridge lines. It became clear the Empire State was on the verge of a huge mistake, almost irreversible, the equivalent of West Virginia’s shaved mountaintops. Even though the turbines are said to be only 30 percent efficient, even though they loom, hum, flicker and, occasionally, catch on fire, an alliance of Big Government, Big Capital . . . Complete story »
Cherry Valley Supervisor Guided Town Through Dangers To A New Consensus
Tom Garretson always liked people. But for the first 35 years of his life, he didn’t see many of them. “On the farm you hardly see anyone at all,” said the tall, lanky Cherry Valley town supervisor, “except your family.” In 2006, it was quite the opposite, as he presided at packed meeting after packed meeting and debate raged over Reunion Power’s 24-turbine wind farm proposed for East Hill. Given that he liked people, Garretson began the year – his first . . . Complete story »
'Good old days' before wind farms
“Grandpa, tell us about the good old days.” “Well, not so very long ago, farmers grew crops, tended livestock, looked out for their neighbors and worshipped together. Children played outside without getting sick from turbine blade flicker. “On a clear night, you could see millions of stars. Cattle lowed in Uncle Ray’s dairy barns. Pumpkin pies baked in Grandma Linda’s kitchen. Uncle Kenny was as ornery as ever before he went stone deaf from working under the turbines. “Deer hunters . . . Complete story »
Northern Sweden set for wind power duel
Two companies are fighting for the right to build wind turbines at Blaikfjället in northern Sweden. Skelleftekraft and Svevind each want to built around 120 turbines. “Blaikfjället is very well suited to wind turbines. There is already a connection to the national electricity grid from Juktan power station, and the wind conditions are also favourable,” Mikael Kyrk from Svevind told Västerbottens-Kuriren. “But there is not enough room for two projects at the same time. “It might be possible to coordinate . . . Complete story »
Town denied loan for wind turbine on Town Farm Road
IPSWICH – A proposal to build a wind turbine on Town Farm Road was a springboard issue this year, catalyzing any number of other environmental movements in town. But as 2006 ends, the future of the project is in doubt. Last spring’s Town Meeting approval of the proposal was contingent on the town securing federal, zero-interest loans, and that grant application was not approved. By Steve Landwehr , Staff writer Salem News salemnews.com Complete story »
Mitsubishi, GE to tie up on wind, nuclear power
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to work with US conglomerate General Electric on nuclear and wind power generation ventures, a newspaper said on Saturday. Under the plan, the two firms will jointly bid for a $300-million project to boost capacity by 20 per cent at the 1.36-million-kilowatt Laguna Verde nuclear plant in Mexico, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported. If their bid is accepted, General Electric intends to supply peripheral reactor equipment while Mitsubishi Heavy will supply steam turbines, the business . . . Complete story »
