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Wind Power News: September 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.
Block Island Times letters
The Block Island Times editorial last week showed that it is the paper that has removed itself from thoughtful discussion of the relevant issues, not the citizens who have the backbone to publically oppose the town on many current issues. The paper consistently fails to report discussions at public meetings accurately and thoroughly, or even report them at all. This leaves the readers with a slanted view of what transpires in our town government. Last week the editorial tried to . . . Complete story »
Palmyra Township concludes review of wind turbine ordinance
PALMYRA TWP., Mich. — The Palmyra Township Board concluded its review of the wind turbine ordinance developed by the township planning commission. However, no vote was taken on the measure at the special board meeting Thursday. Supervisor Jim Isley said he will put together the notes gathered from the special meetings and make the report available to anyone who wishes to receive a copy. The board will have its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, and will discuss . . . Complete story »
Kingston acknowledged for setting the state standard in municipal green energy development
KINGSTON – Despite the “minefields, legislative beaucracies and obstacles” encountered along the way, last Thursday afternoon local and state officials along with residents residents stood atop the closed landfill that will be home to Kingston’s new 280-foot, 2-megawatt wind turbine. The groundbreaking ceremony for the wind turbine Independence was an opportunity for credit to be shared among those who contributed to the project that will provide power for all municipal uses and more than 1,000 homes. Selectman and Green Energy Committee . . . Complete story »
Kankakee: Stuck truck mucks up traffic
A semitruck, hauling a 160-foot long wind turbine arm from Fort Madison, Iowa, to Ontario, Canada, made an unscheduled stop in the middle of East Court Street in downtown Kankakee Thursday afternoon. At about 1:45 p.m., Anderson Haulage Limited trucker Mike Dolliver was following directions for oversized loads provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation when he suddenly found himself at an impasse. The route, mapped out by IDOT, instructed him to turn southbound onto South Indiana Avenue. The problem? . . . Complete story »
Wind companies lack strategies for aging turbines
As thousands of wind turbines go up throughout the United States, companies seem ill prepared for when the blades stop spinning. Like all mechanical creations, turbines eventually wear out, and their parts need replacement. The old parts will need to be disposed of, but few companies have created end-of-life strategies for aging wind turbines, which could lead to logistical problems down the road, said Richard Williams, president of Houston-based Shell WindEnergy Inc. “I don’t believe it’s been addressed because the . . . Complete story »
Wind farm industry is subsidised robbery
It is all very well Dale Vince, the founder of Ecotricity, slamming MP Neil Carmichael for double standards over his objecting to a wind farm proposal in Berkeley Vale, while hoping to build on on his land in Northumberland, but Mr Vince would do well to examine his own conscience regarding his hypocritical attitudes. On Ecotricity’s website he states: “We attribute our planning success in large part to our Good Neighbour policy through which we only commit to build turbines . . . Complete story »
Ill wind blowing for farm proposal
A proposed wind farm north of Lake Burrendong between Wellington, Gulgong and Mudgee is under fire before Wind Prospect holds open days. Placing a list of frequently asked questions on a website with answers falls well short of community consultation, according to Member for Orange Andrew Gee. Mr Gee made the comments after a number of calls from residents in the vicinity of the proposed Uungula wind farm claimed there had been insufficient consultation to date. “I am disappointed to . . . Complete story »
Sustainable Shetland demands answers about SIC’s £1 million windfarm guarantee
The anti-Viking Energy windfarm group Sustainable Shetland has called on Shetland Islands Council to explain publicly why it still helps bankroll the project four years after selling it off to Shetland Charitable Trust. It emerged this week in the council’s annual accounts that the local authority would have to pay out half of a £1.9 million fee charged by National Grid should the windfarm not go ahead. The compensation would be for not taking up its reserved connection to the . . . Complete story »
How Samsung became an Ontario election flashpoint
It was supposed to end all the criticism about a “sweetheart, backroom” deal. In August, when the Liberal campaign team was calling the shots on all major decisions, the Ontario government suddenly released a cornerstone green energy deal signed 19 months earlier with South Korean industrial giant Samsung Group, slashing $327-million in taxpayer-funded incentives in one fell swoop. But the 32-page contract and financial concessions did not change the optics: The government had shut out local companies by giving Samsung . . . Complete story »
Windfarms under fire
Residents are being called on to have their say on windfarms, as a councillor claims “enough is enough”. Millom Councillor Ray Cole hit out over the number of developments in south and west Cumbria. Speaking at a Millom Town Council meeting on Wednesday, he said: “This situation is getting completely out of control. “I understand the need for renewables, but enough is enough. “When I first came to Millom, it was beautiful. “Now look around. Look over Kirby Moor. Look . . . Complete story »
