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Wind Power News: May 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.
Connect the dots
I highly recommend that you check out the “Task Force on Wind Power in Maine” Web site if you want to see an important aspect of Maine’s future. Wind power appears to be Maine’s next big, extractive industry. With goals of 2,000 megawatts of power by 2015 and 3,000 by 2020, that means a lot of wind towers, many where we live. Let’s think about 2,000 MW for a moment. The Kibby project calls for 33 towers to produce 132 MW, or . . . Complete story »
Proposed “T.I.F.” for Kibby Windmill Project poor public tax policy
This editorial is not in any way intended to express an opinion or to debate the merits of windmill farms and whether or not these will provide good or bad energy and economic benefits for the State of Maine and Franklin County. I believe however, that the latest Tax Increment Finance District (“TIF”) proposal being considered by the Franklin County Commissioners represents poor public tax policy and has serious flaws. By way of background… consultants Eaton Peabody Consulting Group working . . . Complete story »
Four days to rescue crane
The driver of a 130 tonne crane came away uninjured after his crane toppled over on a forestry track last week near Lussa Reservoir. It took almost four days to remove the crane which was assisting in routine maintenance work at Beinn an Tuirc windfarm and ended up on its side last week. The cause of the incident is still unknown but a full investigation is being carried out by ScottishPower Renewables. Diggers and lifting equipment were brought in to . . . Complete story »
Wind power plan cut by half
A controversial wind farm plan for Purbeck is seeing the number of turbines in the scheme slashed from the originally proposed six down to just three. This was revealed by the district council’s planning officer Alan Davies at the monthly meeting of the planning board. He told councillors there was a considerable amount of work to be done before the scheme was brought before them with any recommendation from the planners. He added: “We have had a letter in the . . . Complete story »
County TIF with TransCanada debated
FARMINGTON – County commissioners heard testimony from Franklin County residents at a public hearing held Thursday evening, in regards to the proposed tax increment financing plan for the Kibby Wind Power Project. The commissioners have stated that they will make their final decision Tuesday, at their regularly scheduled meeting. The plan would capture 75 percent of the taxes raised by the $270 million project for the first 10 years of operation, then 50 percent for the 10 years after that. . . . Complete story »
Protecting beauty of falls may become a tall order; Talk of windmills near attraction stimulates debate
NIAGARA FALLS – Tourists have long treked to the region to see the Niagara River plunge as far as 188 feet over the Horseshoe and American falls. But what if windmills taller than the falls is deep soared above the city’s skyline? A company founded by Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano has approached city leaders about building wind turbines on old industrial sites in the city. While the company sees economic opportunity, the prospect exists for millions of tourists to see . . . Complete story »
Landowners bet on wind turbines as way to stay green
MOUNT GILEAD – Wind turbines will generate more than electricity in Morrow County if efforts to win the business of alternative energy companies succeed as local officials hope they will. Responding to interest expressed by companies in erecting wind turbines in northern Morrow County, the county board of commissioners recently added zoning regulations for the machines, which typically sit atop 200-to-300-foot-plus towers, said Pat Davies, the county’s director of operations. “There’s a lot of interest over here,” Davies said. “The . . . Complete story »
It’s over – Acciona pulls the plug on Molonglo Ridge
In welcome news, Acciona have announced that they will not be proceeding with the Molonglo Ridge Industrial Wind Plant. A media release quietly slipped out by the company under embargo until 29 May 2008 confirmed what the community knew all along – that the project was not viable. Stating the obvious, Acciona Managing Director, Brett Thomas said that the site did not meet their standards as appropriate development. This is hardly a surprise – the Molonglo Landscape Guardians (MLG) have . . . Complete story »
Company scraps wind farm plans
Plans for a large wind farm to be built along the Molonglo Ridge, south-east of Queanbeyan have been scrapped. The company which had proposed building 60 wind turbines along the ridge announced its decision after an evaluation of the site over the past four years. It released a statement saying the site would not meet its strict standards for appropriate development. Community groups fighting the development are claiming victory. Molonglo Landscape Guardian spokeswoman Wendy Bell says she is glad the . . . Complete story »
Bird rehabilitation center operators fear impact of wind turbine project
FREEDOM – Diane Winn doesn’t dispute the need for clean, renewable energy – the kind provided by wind turbines and hydroelectric dams. But Winn and Marc Payne, her partner at Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center, are all about saving injured or abandoned wild birds. Wind turbines provide clean energy, but birds often die when they fly into turbines, and the noise the machines make can disrupt bird and human alike. For those reasons, Winn and Payne say they would close their . . . Complete story »
