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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.
Energy companies contribute thousands to Maryland Democrats
Energy companies have given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Gov. Martin O’Malley and other Democrats in their attempts to build political support for wind farms, solar projects and other energy-related initiatives. Constellation Energy, a large Baltimore power company that started construction Thursday on what will be Maryland’s largest solar energy plant, has contributed nearly $1 million in the last decade to various lawmakers, candidates and political groups in the state. Constellation’s contributions to the state’s Democratic Committee alone total . . . Complete story »
Clifton area residents weigh in on Pisgah Mountain wind farm
CLIFTON, Maine – Folks who are against a five-turbine wind farm proposed for Pisgah Mountain made their concerns known Thursday night at the second and last public hearing held on the project before planners are expected to make their decision. Peter Beckford, the resident closest to the proposed $25 million project, described the mountain as “an enchanted forest” that will be ruined by the installation of the wind farm. Bangor businessman Paul Fuller and his wife, Sandy, purchased 270 acres on . . . Complete story »
Wind farm opponents launching campaign
Protestors fighting plans to build one of England’s biggest wind farms have launched a visual campaign. The proposal, by energy firm E.ON, is for up to 45 turbines on land alongside the A1 near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. However, objectors said there were already enough wind turbines in the area. They said they are inefficient, bring no significant benefits and are a blot on the landscape. To help residents living near the site visualise how the Isles wind farm site . . . Complete story »
Future of offshore wind farm in serious jeopardy
JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. – After Tuesday’s announcement that the New York Power Authority would no longer be interested in buying power from offshore wind projects on the Great Lakes, a plan for one on Lake Ontario could be scrapped. Late Wednesday, the developers of the Galloo Island project and Upstate New York Power Corp, met with NYPA, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush and the Governor’s office to discuss what happens now. NYPA says buying the power is too expensive. Blankenbush says a purchase . . . Complete story »
Cost row may delay world’s biggest wind farm in UK
Britain’s Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm, which could be the world’s largest when it opens, is at risk of delays as developers SSE and RWE npower and main builder Fluor argue over who pays the extra costs for faulty material. The developers plan for the 1.3 billion pound ($2 billion) wind farm off the coast of Suffolk to start operating before the end of 2012, but SSE said on Friday the payment dispute with Fluor could put the timetable of . . . Complete story »
Relief as Whittington turbines scheme is defeated
Controversial plans to install wind turbines near a picturesque Midland beauty spot have been thrown out at appeal, it was announced today. Severn Trent Water had applied to install the 433ft high structures on land at Whittington, near Kinver Edge in South Staffordshire. But government planning inspectors have upheld the council’s decision to refuse the project, saying the turbines would be detrimental to the stunning views at the popular spot. Campaigners today welcomed the news as the company admitted defeat . . . Complete story »
ISU-Texas game to be “Wind Bowl”
Befitting a matchup of universities from the two largest wind producing states in the U.S., the game between Iowa State and Texas Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames has been dubbed the “wind bowl” by the American Wind Energy Association. For the game, the stadium will be 100-percent powered by wind through the purchase of Green-e-certified Renewable Energy Certificates to offset energy used. The American Wind Energy Association and Iowa State’s College of Engineering will join MidAmerican Energy, ITC . . . Complete story »
Third wind power ordinance approved by Rumford selectmen
RUMFORD – Selectmen are hoping the third time is a charm after unanimously voting for a proposed Wind Energy Facility Ordinance on Thursday night. Voters will decide in November whether to adopt it. “I think the board accomplished what they set out to do, which was make a compromise on the ordinance and protect the citizens,” Town Manager Carlo Puiia said. He said the evidence was in the setbacks from property lines, sound decibels and decommissioning of turbines. In the first . . . Complete story »
Appeal over Saxby Wold wind farm plan withdrawn
An appeal over a controversial planning application to build an 18 turbine wind farm in Saxby Wold has been withdrawn. RWE npower renewables have removed their first application, which was initially proposed in 2008, from the appeal process. Mike Parker, head of onshore development for RWE npower renewables, said: “We have decided to withdraw the appeal on the first Saxby Wold Wind Farm application. “This will provide more time for the council to consider our second application for the site . . . Complete story »
Renewable energy production drops in Scotland
The total amount of renewable energy produced from wind and hydro power schemes in Scotland fell last year. Low rainfall meant hydro production fell by a third. And despite a sharp increase in the number of wind turbines installed, there was only a 6% increase in the amount of power they produced. UK government figures also showed a decline in oil and gas production earlier this year, which industry leaders described as “worrying”. The statistics from Whitehall’s Department of Energy . . . Complete story »