Wind Power News: February 2010
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 energy's ghosts
Bankrupt Europe has a lesson for Congress about wind power. Wiwo…wiwo…wiwo. The sound floats on the winds of Ka Le, this southernmost tip of Hawaii’s Big Island, where Polynesian colonists first landed some 1,500 years ago. Some say that Ka Le is haunted – and it is. But it’s haunted not by Hawaii’s legendary night marchers. The mysterious sounds are “Na leo o Kamaoa”– the disembodied voices of 37 skeletal wind turbines abandoned to rust on the hundred-acre site of the . . . Complete story »
Congressmen voice concerns over proposed East County energy projects
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) have sent letters to federal and state regulatory agencies voicing serious concerns over several major energy projects proposed in East County. Hunter called the proposed Tule wind energy project “irresponsible,” noting that the $400 million project proposed by Sempra Energy would include payment of 30% in federal stimulus funds to Iberdrola Renewables, a Spanish corporation. “If approved, American taxpayer dollars that were to be specifically utilized for the creation of American . . . Complete story »
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service should investigate bird deaths at wind farms
Every day at wind farms across America threatened or endangered species are killed from collisions with blades of the prop wind turbine. This is considered legal because the offending wind farms either hold the “incidental take permit” or were not required to have one because they did not fully disclose environmental impacts of their activities. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services requires the procurement of an incidental take permit for any individual or private industry if threatened and endangered species . . . Complete story »
Alliance former President/C.E.O.'s firm resurfaces plugging wind power, but N.I.M.B.Y.
United Technologies Corporation, the Hartford, CT based defense and manufacturing conglomerate which last month placed a $270 million bet to acquire nearly half of Clipper Windpower, the California wind turbine manufacturer, is poised to make more investments in alternative energy. Speaking at an analysts meeting yesterday and reported in wire service stories today, United’s chief financial officer Greg Hayes termed his company’s pick up of Clipper Windpower PLC “a relatively small bet” for the firm, which also owns jet engine . . . Complete story »
Waubra Wind Farm: critics' property bought
The operators of Waubra Wind Farm have bought the property of one of their most vocal critics. Acciona Energy announced the purchase of Trish and Victor Godfrey’s five-acre property yesterday for an undisclosed amount. Managing director Brett Thomas said the decision to buy the Godfreys’ property followed lengthy discussions with the couple over the visual impact of turbines on their property. Mr Thomas said the original developer did not complete a visual impact assessment on the property. Acciona Energy acquired . . . Complete story »
What happened a the wind farm?
GONE WITH THE WIND: 25 wind turbines damaged; witness saw explosive blue light before Campo-area wind farm went dark “I saw a huge flash of blue out on the side of the hill where the windmills were. It started in the middle and spread out in all directions. It lit up the whole hillside the white-out of a snowstorm.”–Ken Daubach, ex-firefighter, who witnessed the power go down Battered by a winter storm on December 7, all 25 wind turbines at . . . Complete story »
Holland backs hollow wind farm moratorium
Local solidarity is driving a Holland wind farm moratorium that has no chance of success if the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approves a project in the town. “We know the PSC will have final say in this project,” said Holland Supervisor Michael Geiger. “We’re just letting them know how we feel about it. When it comes to town politics, we’re about as grass roots as you get. “The people that live next door want to know you’re supporting them. . . . Complete story »
Beaverdale-area wind farm planned
Windmills are coming to Summerhill Township, with as many as 27 energy-producing turbines planned for outside Beaverdale. EverPower, formerly EverPower Renewables, is wheeling out Highland North Wind Farm. The company plans to have the turbines cranking out 62 megawatts of electricity – or enough power for 30,000 homes – by summer 2011. An additional nine turbines are planned for Adams Township, which is already home to the first phase of the Highland Wind Project. That first phase – located off . . . Complete story »
Leave Donegal landscape alone – wind farm objectors
A proposed 13 turbine wind farm near Ardara would destroy a Gaeltacht and its built heritage, ruin rare wildllife habitat and drive tourists away, opponents to the scheme claim. Altnagapple Wind Ltd was granted conditional planning permission for the development on 253 hectares at Altnagapple and Mulmosog. A number of appeals, however, have been lodged with An Bord Pleanla, which is now considering the matter. One objector says that one of the turbines, which will be 65m high and have . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine flicker annoys DEQ employees in Bay City
A wind turbine outside the state Department of Environmental Quality office in Bay City generates electricity when it spins — and sometimes a “flicker effect” that annoys employees. The problem is with frosted skylights on top of the building, officials say. The natural light they give off is great. But when the sun shines just right, shadows from the turbine blades fall onto the roof of the building, creating a strobelike effect inside. The problem is a touchy one for . . . Complete story »
