Wind Power News: June 2007
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.
Sempra to acquire wind farm co-rights; As many as 125 turbines planned in Baja project
Sempra Energy has taken its first step into the clean energy business by buying rights to a proposed wind farm in Baja California. The company said yesterday that it will buy co-development rights from Cannon Power Corp., which is also based in San Diego, to a proposed 250-megawatt wind generation project in La Rumorosa, about 70 miles east of San Diego and south of the international border. Sempra declined to disclose what it paid for its interest but said that . . . Complete story »
CEPD approves power plants
The Council for Economic Planning and Development has approved a Ministry of Economic Affairs proposal to build offshore wind power plants, a spokesman said yesterday. Taiwan theoretically has about 9 million kilowatts of potential wind power in costal areas, but only 1.2 million kilowatts of offshore wind power are exploitable after various restrictions are excluded, the spokesman said. In order to ensure steady development, the government decided to implement the project in several phases, with the maximum wind power projected . . . Complete story »
Push for 'green' power
North Carolina could be the first state in the Southeast to require its power companies to generate a substantial amount of electricity from renewable sources, under a measure overwhelmingly endorsed by the Senate. The legislation – which has been pushed for years by environmental groups – would require that solar energy, animal waste and other renewable sources make up at least 12.5 percent of Progress Energy’s and Duke Energy’s energy mix by 2021. The utilities can also meet the requirement with conservation . . . Complete story »
Another wind farm petition reaches county clerk's desk
Another petition regarding the proposed Ellis County wind farm was presented to the Ellis County clerk Thursday. This one requests a complete moratorium on the project and consists of 760 signatures. The document does not protest wind energy, but requests cautious and balanced deliberation before the county proceeds, states the cover letter, which is endorsed by the Ellis County Environmental Awareness Coalition. “The objective is to have, similar to any other project of this magnitude, a proper, government-commissioned, independent impact . . . Complete story »
County examines hearing complaint
Kittitas County Commission Chairman Alan Crankovich said the county’s legal staff will examine a citizen complaint that commissioners allowed new information on proposed changes to the county development code to surface during a Wednesday hearing that was closed to public questions, testimony and comments. Crankovich said those expressing the complaint claim the information was not brought forth during a series of public hearings that ended June 14 during which citizens could have questioned, commented or rebutted them. The public comment . . . Complete story »
Wind farm dispute getting DEP's attention
Wind turbines are supposed to be a cleaner form of energy designed to keep the air clear, but some residents near Shaffer Mountain by the Somerset, Bedford County line argue, the wind farm will actually destroy the environment. Now their voices are being heard. Signs protesting Gamesa have been put up along Route 160 towards Central City. Residents in the area have made it clear that they don’t want a wind farm on Shaffer Mountain. They say it will pollute . . . Complete story »
Enxco wind power project hits snag in Washington
The developer of a wind power project in central Washington, having hit an impasse, is going “over the heads” of local planning officials. Desert Claim Wind Power, owned by wind developer enXco, today asked Washington State officials to recommend approval of its wind farm in Kittitas County that could power nearly 55,000 homes, the company announced. Desert Claim Wind Power made a motion asking the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to pre-empt local Kittitas County, and recommend approval of . . . Complete story »
Turbines are closer to permit
FREEDOM – The Portland company hoping to erect three electricity-generating wind turbines on Beaver Ridge has reapplied for a town permit. This time, without a commercial development ordinance posing a stumbling block, the project appears on the fast-track to fruition. “I never lost hope, I guess,” said Andy Price, project manager for Competitive Energy Services, which hopes to have the turbines in place as early as the fall of 2008. “The town has been very supportive. Eventually, if the town wants . . . Complete story »
Governor again fails to lead on important issue
Governor Gregoire’s “non-decision” on the Kittitas Wind Power Project yet again showcases her trademark Teflon approach to all problems screaming for some political leadership. She implied our locally elected officials “did not articulate a well-reasoned setback standard during the hearing process.” The record shows otherwise. Suggested setbacks were given and Horizon walked out of the meeting with no comment other than it would make the project economically unviable. She is directing her staff (EFSEC) “to determine on this particular project . . . Complete story »
Lackawanna pursues wind farm review powers
The Lackawanna Planning Board Wednesday voted to make the city the lead agency in any environmental review required for the expansion of the Steel Winds wind farm at the old Bethlehem Steel site. The vote was taken during a meeting with Clipper Windpower officials that was initially intended to be an informal affair, Planning Board Chairwoman Kathy Galanti said. However, the board convened a formal session once members agreed that the city should be made lead agency on the project. . . . Complete story »
