Wind Power News: May 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.
Nuclear power in Germany: The reasons behind Chancellor Merkel's U-turn
In a decade, one of the world’s biggest economies will have switched off the power stations that currently supply just under a quarter of its needs. What will take up the slack? Those who applaud the move as bold and principled say renewable energy, much of it from wind farms. And, they add, the gap will be smaller as more efficient buildings and machines become available. The official commission reckons that Germany could cut its electricity use by 10% through . . . Complete story »
Changes will add hurdles
Much of Central Otago’s high country has been reclassified in the district plan as being an outstanding natural landscape, which may add more hurdles for developments such as wind farms to gain resource consent. The Central Otago District Council has changed the way it classifies landscapes, as part of 23 changes to its district plan, affecting only the rural area. It spent six weeks last year hearing submissions on the changes and announced its decisions this week. Submitters have 30 . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plans stalled
BETHANY BEACH – Officials have halted discussions with NRG Bluewater Wind about its proposal to build a wind farm off the coast until the company agrees to compensate the town for study expenses. In February, NRG representatives presented plans to bring power lines from their proposed wind farm ashore through transmission lines, which would run underground. At the time, Mayor Tony McClenny directed Town Manager Cliff Graviet to seek independent expert advice on the potential impact to human health from the . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines damage a section of Great Wall
A wind power company in central China has been fined 400,000 yuan (US$61,730) for its illegal installation of wind turbines that damaged a 2-kilometer section of the Great Wall. The 1-billion-yuan project by Henan Zhongtou Yingke Co Ltd has been suspended after damages were found last month in the one of the wall’s oldest sections in Yexian County, Henan Province, said Li Shujin, head of the province’s cultural relics bureau. This section of the Great Wall dates back to the . . . Complete story »
Chiefs concerned about cumulative effect of projects
The Saugeen Ojibway Nation has concerns about the cumulative effects of aggregate extraction and wind turbines, said Randall Kahgee, Chief of Saugeen First Nation. “We have huge concerns especially on water, fisheries and our overall claims,” Kahgee said during a presentation to Grey Highlands council on Monday. Kahgee was accompanied by Scott Lee, interim chief of Chippewas of Nawash along with some band officials. The two First Nations constitute the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Kahgee gave a brief history of treaties . . . Complete story »
Muskegon County consultant reviews wind-farm proposals, plans for recommendation
MUSKEGON COUNTY – The wind-energy consultant hired by Muskegon County is reviewing proposals and planning interviews regarding the county’s plan to install a commercial wind farm on its massive wastewater site in Egelston and Moorland townships. If all goes as planned, the county will have a final agreement in place with a private developer for the proposed $300 million wind farm on the 11,000-acre Muskegon County Wastewater System by the end of the year. The county plans to lease land on . . . Complete story »
Public urged to sign anti-windfarm petition
Residents throughout Shropshire and Mid Wales are being urged to sign an e-Petition in the campaign to force the Government to re-think its policy on windfarms. The Welsh Assembly has agreed to host the e-Petition called “Say No to Tan 8 – Windfarms and High Voltage Power Lines Spoiling our Community” on its own website. The petition, which has already attracted more than 1,200 signatures, will close on June 17. Campaigners are also urging people living in Shrewsbury to fill . . . Complete story »
Yet another wind turbine plan for dale beauty spot
One of the most popular beauty spots in the region could be “sandwiched” by wind farm developments – after another planning application was submitted. Banks Renewables wants to build five 115m turbines between the village of Woodland and Hamsterley Forest. Arcus Renewable Energy in 2009 proposed building another four 115-metre turbines nearby. And last month, Pure Renewable Energy submitted a planning application for a wind monitoring mast at West Shipley Farm, on the other side of the forest. The landowner . . . Complete story »
An exceptional quality of life?
I am writing in response to the article that appeared in last Thursday’s Republican titled, “Energy ‘toll road’ could go through Bureau, Henry counties.” I am leery of companies with names like Clean Line Energy Partners which seem concocted by a public relations firm in a Michael Moore movie. I am doubly leery of a company that stages its only meeting in the county from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on a workday. Therefore, my interest engaged, I asked a . . . Complete story »
Wind farm opposition grows
Community opposition to wind farms continues to grow around Australia, with a brace of actions in several states. In Victoria. the Moyne Shire council has taken its opposition to Wind Farm Developments’ proposed 12 turbine farm at The Sisters near Terang, testing the new state government’s tougher position on noise emissions. The council will next week ask the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to reject the proposal on the grounds that it contravenes the new noise guidelines implemented by the . . . Complete story »
