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Wind Power News: October 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.
Weekenders win a round
The decision came down late last month in a challenge in Bovina, a rural town with only 459 registered voters on the western slopes of the Catskills in Delaware County, where the peacefulness of the farms and woodlands was disrupted last year by a passionate dispute over the possibility of installing commercial wind turbines. The opponents of the turbines organized a voter-registration campaign among second-home owners, and eventually won a zoning ordinance from the Town Board banning wind farms and protecting pristine scenic views. Complete story »
Throw zoning to the wind
As Shell WindEnergy looks to build industrial-sized wind turbines in Albany County, on the crest of the Helderbergs, residents and officials have taken stances both in favor and against the idea of commercial wind farms. Meanwhile, the municipalities in which Shell has approached residents Berne, New Scotland and Rensselaerville are devoid of zoning that specifically regulates these massive structures. Rensselaerville adopted a comprehensive plan in March of 2007 that allows only community-owned wind development. The new zoning, adopted . . . Complete story »
Blade breaks off wind tower near Wyanet
A wind turbine blade came crashing to the ground Wednesday, halting energy production at a small-scale wind farm southwest of Wyanet because of what may be a defective design. In all, four turbines on Richard Shertz’s property – all part of the AgriWind facility in central Bureau County – have stopped turning after a blade on top of one of the towers broke off about 9:30 a.m. “It was the loudest noise I’ve ever heard,” he said. “I thought it . . . Complete story »
Lincoln group seeks wind-farm moratorium
LINCOLN – As opponents of a $120 million wind development slated for Rollins Mountain, the Friends of Lincoln Lakes citizens group will ask the Town Council and Planning Board next week for a moratorium on all pending wind projects, its organizers said Thursday. Group members will attend council and board meetings next week after taking in the third hearing held by wind farm proponent First Wind of Massachusetts on Wednesday at Mattanawcook Academy. They fear local boards ha-ven’t had adequate time . . . Complete story »
Blowback: Hartland man argues against industrial wind power
Wind energy is gaining momentum in New England. New Hampshire’s first commercial wind project will be completed atop Lempster Mountain by the end of this year and another one is being considered in Coos County. The company behind the Lempster wind farm – Iberdrola Renewables – plans to put new wind projects in Deerfield, Vt., and Hoosac, Mass., while other energy companies scout sites on New England ridgelines. Eric Rosenbloom would prefer the projects never got built. The 47-year-old Hartland resident is . . . Complete story »
Wind firm eyes Oakfield, Rumford
The debate over wind power soon will be blowing into additional Maine towns. First Wind, the Massachusetts company behind Maine’s two largest wind energy facilities, plans to file applications with the state late this year or early next year for a facility with roughly 30 turbines in the southern Aroostook County town of Oakfield. The company also is moving forward with plans for projects in Rumford in western Maine as well as on Grand Manan Island just across the Canadian . . . Complete story »
