Wind Power News: December 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.
As fuel costs rise, so does interest in harnessing wind
High on a mountainside outside of Mahanoy City, 13 wind turbines, each taller than the Statue of Liberty, dominate a landscape where veins of coal deep beneath the ground fueled the Industrial Revolution. To some, the turbines are an eyesore that put birds and other wildlife in harm’s way while making just a small dent in the nation’s energy needs. To others, the white towers and blades are majestic – symbols of technology that bring with them clean energy. As the . . . Complete story »
Mineral oil taints West Martinsburg well
A mineral oil spill caused by an Independence Day transformer explosion at the Maple Ridge Wind Farm has apparently contaminated a residential well. However, it doesn’t appear to have affected neighboring wells according to state Department of Environmental Conservation officials. The July 4 explosion at the wind farm substation up the hill from the hamlet on Rector Road – which caused a temporary shutdown of the facility – led to 491 gallons of oil leaking from the damaged transformer said . . . Complete story »
Westar reviews its wind farm plan because of state order
Kansas’ largest electric company still plans to pursue three wind-power projects, although it says an order from state regulators will prevent it from investing in additional wind farms. Westar Energy Inc. had hoped regulators would allow it to earn higher profits because of its investment in 295 megawatts of generating capacity from wind farms in three counties. That’s enough to power 88,000 homes. The Kansas Corporation Commission said that the Topeka-based utility’s plans were prudent and that it would be . . . Complete story »
Turning out turbines
The number of large wind farms in the state is expected to more than double next year following the Kansas Corporation Commission’s go-ahead granted late Thursday to Westar Energy’s wind farm proposal. The KCC gave approval for the utility to honor tentative agreements it had with three developers for wind farms that will create almost 300 megawatts of power and provide electricity to 88,000 homes. With the addition of these farms and the Smoky Hills Wind Project near Salina, which . . . Complete story »
Wind farm coming near Lena
Sitting at his kitchen table, Joe Smeck recalls the neighborhood debates that took place there over a wind farm plan near his home. His main beef was simple. “There were very few people who knew what was going on and then to get it dropped in our lap, that what got us upset,” Joe Smeck said. Smeck and his neighbors sued Stephenson County and wind farm developer EcoEnergy for the way the project was approved. But a court battle is . . . Complete story »
Heritage body may cut objections
Scotland’s heritage agency may reduce the number of objections it makes to planning applications in an effort to ensure its budget is better spent. Scottish Natural Heritage uses about a third of its resources on advice to local authorities on applications. The Inverness-based organisation denied the move would be a step back from its role of safeguarding the environment. A report commissioned by the agency found it should concentrate on high-quality advice on local cases. SNH chairman Andrew Thin said . . . Complete story »
Senate blocks speaker's move on trust over energy-bills tax
Senators blocked a proposal by House Speaker Sal DiMasi to move the Renewable Energy Trust from the control of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. In an energy-reform bill filed by DiMasi earlier this year, the trust was put under the executive office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Steve Panagiotakos, a Lowell Democrat, said the move was to maintain the quasi-public collaborative. “We didnt want to blow them up. We did think there should be better collaboration . . . Complete story »
After ruling, Westar says it will limit its plans for wind power
Westar Energy still plans to pursue three wind-power projects, but says an order from state regulators curtailing its potential profits will prevent it from investing in additional wind farms. Westar had hoped regulators would allow it to earn higher profits because of its investment in 295 megawatts of generating capacity from wind farms in three counties. That’s enough to power about 88,000 homes. The Kansas Corporation Commission said Thursday that the Topeka-based utility would be allowed to recover up to . . . Complete story »
Enfield adopts wind turbine law
The Enfield Town Board’s adoption of a town law regulating wind turbines drew praise today from an advocate of regulation but a pledge to hope the measure is undone from the developer who has proposed a wind farm on a hilltop in the town. The town board adopted the measure requiring certain setbacks from adjoining property and other features on Thursday evening. John Rancinch, who has proposed an array of wind farms on a hilltop on Black Oak Road, said . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine issue given a whirl: voters may not get to decide turbine zoning ordinance
Jefferson Township voters may not get to decide whether they like the new wind turbine zoning ordinance after a group of pro-wind landowners challenged a petition to place the issue on the March ballot. Lawyers on Wednesday filed a nine page motion asking the Logan County Board of Elections to nullify a petition containing the names of hundreds of voters because of errors in how it was submitted. Residents circulated the petition following the township trustees’ failure on Sept. 19 . . . Complete story »
