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Wind Power News: January 2008
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.
Industrial wind turbines do not belong in anyone's backyard
Industrial wind turbines do not belong near residences. Let’s paint the picture of those homes near an industrial wind site. Imagine a strobe light effect in your home and yard as the sun is shining behind the huge spinning blades causing constant landscape-sweeping shadow flicker. This can cause migraines and motion sickness in some people. Imagine the constant low-frequency sound being produced as you try to sleep, causing sleep disturbances, night after night. Imagine the interruption of your television, Internet, . . . Complete story »
Wind power plan faces stiff opposition
MCHENRY – In a crowd of more than 325 Wednesday night, proponents of wind power on public land were in the minority. “I made my choice,” Delegate Wendell Beitzel said. “My choice is not to include wind turbines on state land in Maryland. For me, it’s personal… This is our home. It’s where we live. The state forests here define who we are.” Beitzel was the first of many to speak during the public comment portion of a public hearing held . . . Complete story »
Western Maryland Delegation takes back support for turbine project
The Western Maryland Delegation has retracted its support for a wind turbine project being proposed for state land in Garrett County. U.S. Wind Force recently asked Gov. Martin O’Malley for leases in Potomac and Savage River state forests to clear an estimated 400 acres in order to construct up to 100 40-story-tall wind turbines. The delegation – made up of 15 lawmakers from Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, and Carroll counties – wrote a letter to O’Malley on Oct. 1, 2007, indicating . . . Complete story »
Bylaw would limit turbine noise: Proposal for consideration at annual town meeting
SCITUATE – Passage of a bylaw that sets limits for wind-turbine noise could be another step toward town use of wind power. The planning board’s bylaw proposal calls for using noise standards that were adopted by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The bylaw, which will be voted on at town meeting, would require that any application for permission to install a turbine include information about the current noise level and how much noise the turbine would produce. It also would . . . Complete story »
Business Association opposes turbines
As an organization, the Greater Grantsville Business Association opposes the installation of wind turbines on state-owned land in Garrett County. The vote to oppose this project followed a discussion during the Wednesday morning meeting of the association. Damage to the natural resources of the area and resulting economic loss were noted among the major reasons for opposition. Peggy Santamaria GGBA President The Republican Newspaper 31 January 2008 Complete story »
50 miles of turbines could not replace one coal plant
There’s potential between Garrett and Allegany counties to erect about 500 skyscraper-sized wind turbines. Constellation Energy (formerly Clipper Wind) has already received permission from the state’s Public Service Commission to construct 40 2.5MW turbines in the southern part of Garrett atop Backbone Mountain, from Eagle Rock south to Table Rock. The Maryland PSC also has approved 24 1.75MW turbines for US Windforce at Savage Mountain on the Garrett border in Allegany County. Synergics, a company from Annapolis, has requested up to 24 1.75MW . . . Complete story »
Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition get the facts wrong
In response to the full-page wind turbine advertisements that appeared in recent editions of the Cumberland Times-News and The Republican, the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition states that it is important to know the facts about wind power and presumes to list several of the so-called facts. To address a few of the “facts”: Logging is done by private companies on state lands, and yes, the state gains some revenue; however, this is not an industrial process, as the advertiser wants . . . Complete story »
Destruction to pad pockets of wind turbine company
My wife and I have tremendous concern regarding the installation of the proposed wind turbines in Garrett County. We currently own 126 acres of rustic farmland adjoining the Savage River State Forest, and are planning to build a new home from which to run our home-based business. We are professional photographers, specializing in our images taken in some of the most beautiful locations nature can provide. Our work appears internationally in various publications. The reason for our choice of location . . . Complete story »
Public meeting called over wind farm plan
Families in Chase Terrace are being urged not to miss their chance to speak out about a controversial wind farm plan which a local councillor claims is being moved closer to their homes. A public meeting has been called to give more information and gather reaction from local people. “Residents are becoming increasingly concerned at the prospect of a three-turbine wind farm right on their doorstep,” claimed county Councillor Eric Drinkwater. The proposal by Harworth Power, part of UK Coal, . . . Complete story »
Wind mast to be put up in Brixworth
Controversial plans for a wind mast were approved at a meeting of the planning committee of Daventry District Council last night. The wind mast will be put up on the land to the west of Mercedes Avenue, Brixworth. Mercedes Benz High Performace Engines applied the mast, which will be 60 metres high and measure wind speed and direction at 40m, 50m and 60m to assess the potential of renewable energy. Mrs Mortimer, a spokesman for Mercedes Benz, said: “This is . . . Complete story »