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Wind Power News: December 2009
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.
Brook trout considered in wind tower trial
ST. JOHNSBURY – In Vermont, brook trout may be to fishermen what white tail deer are to hunters. But when it comes to a timetable for building 16 wind turbines on the ridge lines of Sheffield, trout may be the determining factor. The condition of brook trout in the five streams that run through 60 acres of the Sheffield wind farm was a subject of contention during a three-day trial that got under way here in Environmental Court last week. Actually, . . . Complete story »
Wind brings down turbine
The eco-dream of a village school turned into a Friday 13th nightmare when high winds destroyed their wind turbine. Two blades flew off from the 15m tall turbine in Gorran School’s playing field during the bad weather earlier this month. The turbine was part of the school’s £53,000 plan to generate its own electricity, On the afternoon of Friday, November 13, the school was advised to turn on the brakes to stop the turbine, but the brakes failed, causing two . . . Complete story »
Dixmont voters approve ordinance
The company considering building a wind farm in Dixmont says a voter-approved ordinance will make it difficult – if not impossible – to move ahead with the project. Folks in town said yes to an ordinance that would regulate wind power development. The issue arose when the Mount Harris Wind company began looking into the prospect of placing ten wind turbines along Mount Harris in Dixmont. For the past nine months the local planning board has been researching the effects . . . Complete story »
There's no wind beneath their wings
Madakaripura villager Basavaraj’s happiness knew no bounds when huge blades were transported to the top of a nearby hillock in 1997. It was here in Chitradurga district that Jindal Aluminium installed the district’s first wind turbine generator (WTG). “They (the company officials) said they would make electricity out of wind. I was proud that they had chosen my village for this project. Hills were cleared to construct roads and vehicles started to move through what once was wilderness.” But, hopes . . . Complete story »
Wind farm discussions lead to investigations
Allegations that two Scottish Government Ministers may have breached the Scottish Ministerial Code by becoming involved in discussions about Fallago Rig wind farm are to be investigated by Scotland’s top civil servant. Using the Freedom of Information Act, Cranshaws, Ellemford and Longformacus Community Council, who are opposed to the 48 turbine wind farm, discovered various pieces of correspondence between the ministers and the Duke of Roxburghe who owns the land at Fallago Rig where North British Windpower want to build . . . Complete story »
Is it time to consider a moratorium on winds farms around military bases?
“Is anyone taking a look at wind farms from a pilot training standpoint?’ was the question and stunned silence was the answer. The question came during a discussion on encroachment at the Department of Defense (DOD) Community Conference in Orlando, Florida two weeks ago. For example, did you know that placing wind turbines between five and eight miles from an airfield creates “blind spots” due to the clutter created on the radar screen. Air Traffic Controllers can adjust clutter maps . . . Complete story »
Wind power will make Britain the dirty old man of Europe
About 30 days ago, the Prime Minister warned that there were “50 days to save the planet”. The world had to reach agreement at the climate summit in Copenhagen next month, or else. Since then, the press has been briefed that there will not, in fact, be agreement in Copenhagen. So there would seem to be only 20 days left to save the world. Don’t worry too much. Mr Brown has been doing a bit of what is called “expectation . . . Complete story »
Residents divided over wind project at hearing
Half the Milton Elementary gymnasium was filled Tuesday, Nov. 10 when residents expressed mixed opinions over five proposed wind turbines atop Georgia Mountain that could provide clean energy at the expense of a scenic ridgeline. The hearing was the Vermont Public Service Board’s second in a process to determine if Jim Harrison and Kathy Rabtoy of Harrison Concrete will get a permit to build 443-foot turbines on a prominent mountain summit that spans the Milton and Georgia line. Suzanne Affinati . . . Complete story »
No consensus at wind forum
A public forum in Spruce Pine Thursday evening, aiming to provide clarity on developing wind energy in Western North Carolina and begin to foster a consensus among area residents on the controversial issue, left a room of more than 80 people still in disagreement. Seven panelists, including Mitchell’s state elected officials Senator Joe Sam Queen and Representative Phillip Frye, opened the discussion at 6 p.m. in Mayland Community College’s Sam Center Auditorium with first addressing the economic opportunities and environmental . . . Complete story »
Mafia ties to wind fraud in Italy investigated
Italian finance police have arrested two prominent businessmen – including one with ties to a former investor in the Cape Wind project in Nantucket – in the wind energy sector on charges of fraud. Arrested were Oreste Vigorito, head of the IVPC energy company and president of Italy’s National Association of Wind Energy, and Vito Nicastri, a Sicilian business associate, according to the Financial Times. Italian finance police have arrested two prominent businessmen – including one with ties to a former investor in . . . Complete story »