Wind Power News: March 2011
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.
Rhode Island study to identify best land sites for renewable energy
The state is preparing to identify the best areas for renewable-energy projects on land in Rhode Island, much as a recently completed ocean-zoning plan did for wind-power development in waters off the coast. The intent of the multi-agency project is to come up with a statewide siting plan that would recommend locations for land-based wind power, solar energy and other clean, renewable sources of electricity. The study would not only look at where, say, the wind potential in the state . . . Complete story »
MoD forces city to scrap turbine plan
Plans for a massive wind turbine between the Cowley car works and Horspath have been scrapped – but council chiefs have pledged similar plans for the city. The 130m turbine plan, for land opposite the Horspath Road athletics track, has been axed after the Ministry of Defence said it would cause unacceptable interference to surveillance radar. It had sparked an outcry amongst residents who warned the £3m Oxford City Council turbine would tower over Green Belt land and Shotover Country . . . Complete story »
Plans for Horspath wind turbine scrapped due to radar interference
Controversial plans to build a wind turbine in Oxfordshire have been halted. It is feared that the 130m tall structure near Horspath, Oxford, would have interfered with nearby RAF radars. The renewable energy developer, Partnerships for Renewables (PfR), was unable to reach a resolution with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Michael Tyce, from the Campaign to protect Rural England (CPRE), said: “It’s a victory for common sense.” The CPRE had complained the turbine would have been inefficient and ruin the . . . Complete story »
Will turbines affect your home’s value?
DIXON – The debate continues about whether wind turbines affect residents’ property values. Some contend wind farms cause neighboring property values to drop, while wind industry supporters say turbines have no major effect. Many Lee County residents have worried for years about the impact of turbines on their home values. Now, some have the same fears in Whiteside County, with the recent revelation that a company is planning to include Deer Grove in its three-county wind farm. Wind industry backers . . . Complete story »
Tiverton chooses firm to subdivide industrial park, analyze wind farm potential
Tiverton Town Administrator James Goncalo told the Town Council on Monday night that a Cranston firm was chosen to subdivide the vacant town industrial park. The town administrator provided the Tiverton Town Council with an update on Monday night to a proposal to subdivide the industrial park, a preliminary step being taken to explore wind farm construction for the town. James Goncalo said DiPrete Engineering, of Cranston, was one of three candidates selected by the Planning Board to subdivide the . . . Complete story »
Henry County board leaves New Castle wind farm up to FAA
NEW CASTLE, Ind. – The aviation board of a central Indiana county says it won’t have the final say on approving a potential wind farm. The Courier-Times reports Tuesday that New Castle-Henry County Board of Aviation Commissioners says the ultimate decision to build the wind farm near the New Castle’s airport is up to the Federal Aviation Administration. Representatives from wind energy company Nordex have lobbied the board to ask federal officials to change flight patterns near the airport so the . . . Complete story »
Green plans questioned; Warwick Township demands answers from energy minister
The mayor of Warwick Township has some pointed questions for Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid. Todd Case wants to know how much capacity the electrical distribution grid has in Warwick and how Ontario’s $7-billion green energy deal with Korean tech giant Samsung is affecting township residents. Warwick officials are meeting Duguid in Toronto on Wednesday. Case said the questions arise from Warwick residents, including farmers and other landowners who invested in solar panels to sell power to Hydro One, only . . . Complete story »
Controversial wind farm gets the green light
A controversial wind-farm development was yesterday given the go-ahead despite concerns that it would blight one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. The application from RWE npower renewables was granted by members of the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross planning committee at a meeting in the Assembly Rooms in Wick after they heard from supporters and objectors. Earlier the members had paid a visit to the site. The committee’s decision means that nine wind turbines – up to . . . Complete story »
Beaver Ridge Wind asks for a fresh look at valuation
Freedom – The March 28 meeting of the Freedom Selectboard presented all the plot shifts and surprise unveilings of a parlor room mystery, culminating in an unannounced appearance by a representative of Beaver Ridge Wind asking for another appraisal of the company’s three-turbine wind energy development. Newly elected selectman Brian Jones took a lead role at the meeting, applying pointed hypothetical arguments and forensic accounting to several thorny areas of town business, starting with a petition from a group of residents . . . Complete story »
Lawmakers to hold hearing on energy plan
(Host) It’s been 13 years since Vermont last approved a Comprehensive Energy Plan. Now, lawmakers and the Department of Public Service are in the process of updating the state’s energy goals… and strategies for achieving them. VPR’s Samantha Fields has more. (Fields) The purpose of the Comprehensive Energy Plan is to set goals and recommend specific strategies for all of the state’s energy sectors. (Lyons) “Everything from transportation to land use to new alternative sources of fuels, both for electricity . . . Complete story »
