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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.
Wind farm application time shrunk
State regulators have agreed to shorten a wind developer’s waiting time before it may submit plans to build North Dakota’s largest wind energy project. FPL Energy wants to build 133 wind turbines in northern Barnes County in eastern North Dakota. The wind project would generate up to 200 megawatts of electricity and cost an estimated $350 million to build. The company wants North Dakota’s Public Service Commission to grant a construction permit by May 1, Scott Scovill, an FPL Energy . . . Complete story »
Mixed views of wind farms
Hearing draws hundreds in Western Md. MCHENRY – An overflow crowd of about 500 people packed a public hearing in Western Maryland last night, most of them strongly opposed to a proposal to allow wind turbines in state forests. “It’s the very character of the mountains and the state forests that define who we are,” said state Del. Wendell R. Beitzel, a Republican from Garrett County. “I beseech you to relay to the governor and other people that we don’t . . . Complete story »
Exceedingly Proud…
In this day and age in America, particularly while in the midst of the presidential campaigns, one can easily grow weary of the great divisiveness between and among our citizens on many and various issues. How amazingly gratifying it was last night to be a part of the public meeting held at Garrett College that centered on the proposal to lease state forestland in Garrett County to developers of wind energy. Never before has this writer witnessed such an incredible . . . Complete story »
A mass of humanity
A MASS OF HUMANITY more than filled the auditorium of Garrett College last night, where the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosted a public meeting in order to receive input on a proposal to permit the leasing of state forestland in Garrett County to wind-farm developers. The proposal would allow U.S. Wind Force, a Pennsylvania-based company, to erect approximately 100 450-foot-high wind turbines in Potomac and Savage River state forests. The great majority of the crowd, which numbered approximately 500, was . . . Complete story »
Preservation board seeks protection for L&C landmark
The Montana Historic Preservation Review Board is asking Gov. Brian Schweitzer to protect a nationally recognized Lewis and Clark portage route it contends is threatened by the proposed Highwood Generating Station. Both the coal-fired power plant and the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark are located east of Great Falls. “We urge you to take all necessary steps within your power as governor to protect this important National Historic Landmark,” board Chairman H. Rafael Chacon wrote in a letter to . . . Complete story »
Wind farms, cui bono?
Opposition to proposed wind farms on state forest land in Western Maryland is vocal and growing. More than 500 folks showed up at a public hearing to protest US Wind Force LLC’s proposal to lease 400 acres of forest land in Garrett County to build 100 forty-story wind turbines in two state forests. The Department of Natural Resources must decide the policy matter of whether or not wind turbines are a proper use of state lands before the Board of . . . Complete story »
Local residents question need for wind turbine passage in comp plan
About 20 local residents met with the Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday to discuss a paragraph in the current draft of the county’s proposed new comprehensive plan. The document is being developed by the local Planning Commission, the county’s Planning and Land Development Department, and a contracted consulting firm, Environmental Resources Management (ERM). “I was disappointed to see that,” said Oakland resident Jon Boone about a passage pertaining to wind turbines. He said he preferred that it not be in . . . Complete story »
Huge majority speak against wind turbines on state land
An estimated 500 people showed up at Garrett College last night to participate in a public meeting hosted by Maryland Department of Natural Resources secretary John Griffin, the purpose of which was for the DNR to receive public comment on the proposal to lease state forestland in Garrett County to a Pittsburgh-based wind energy company. U.S. Wind Force wants to lease an estimated 400 acres of state-owned property in the Potomac and Savage River state forests for the erection of . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plan kicks up a storm
A proposal to build towering wind turbines near Gillingham has caused uproar. Green-energy company Ecotricity is eyeing up a site on privately-owned land at Silton, north-east of the B3081 for a possible wind farm. The six turbines could be up to 120m high – more than twice as tall as Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead. Holiday accommodation owners fear the turbines will destroy their landscape. Ecotricity previously lost a battle to build a wind farm at nearby Cucklington, and Silton is . . . Complete story »
Wind farm 'move' generates petition call
Families in Chase Terrace are being urged to petition Cannock Chase District Council to turn down a controversial wind farm plan on the site of the former Bleak House opencast mine site. A county councillor has spoken out about the plan which he claims has been moved closer to homes in Chase Terrace and further from those in Heath Hayes.”Residents are becoming increasingly more concerned at the prospect of a three-turbine wind farm right on their doorstep,” claimed Councillor Eric . . . Complete story »
