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Wind Power News: November 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.
Belle Creek township to appeal wind farm decision
Earlier this week, the Belle Creek township board in southeastern Minnesota voted to appeal a decision by the Public Utilities Commission that allows a developer to proceed with a $179 million wind project near Red Wing. “People have not listened to us. Everybody’s ignored us,” Belle Creek Board Chair Chad Ryan said. “They’re just plain ignoring what the people want.” Ryan said Belle Creek’s decision comes after Goodhue County officials decided against filing an appeal of their own against the . . . Complete story »
Plans revealed for wind turbines at prison in Cumbria
Plans have been revealed to install five 393ft (120m) high wind turbines at a prison in south Cumbria. The 2.3MW turbines are proposed on agricultural ground belonging to HMP Haverigg. If the scheme is approved the company behind the project, Partnerships for Renewables, would pay £25,000 a year towards community projects. The plans are due to go on public display at the Working Men’s Club, Haverigg. Turbines have already been installed nearby which are 178ft (54.25m) high. The mayor of . . . Complete story »
Commissioners deny appeal, give go-ahead to wind farm
Umatilla County Commissioners gave the go-ahead to the Chopin Wind Project at 11 a.m. Wednesday. With a 2-1 split vote, the commissioners approved allowing the 99-megawatt, 33-turbine project slated to be built on farm ground between Milton-Freewater and Athena, with stipulations it obey state noise regulations. Commissioners Bill Hansell and Dennis Doherty voted for overturning the appeal by Blue Mountain Alliance, the conservation group which posits its stance as wanting a stronger plan for where windmills are built in Umatilla . . . Complete story »
Restrictions sought on solar plants
As a contentious hearing on a plan to build a solar energy project on cranberry bog land in a residential neighborhood goes forward, some Carver residents are urging the town to adopt a bylaw that would restrict solar projects to certain parts of town. Leland Way resident Eric Tobolski, the prime mover of a petition campaign to put a solar power development bylaw before Town Meeting, says that a new bylaw would not affect the project already under review in . . . Complete story »
Editorial : Green Communities Act needs an overhaul, or perhaps extinction
The appearance of a wind turbine on the rolling, and beloved, geography of the Allen Farm in Chilmark has occasioned a vigorous debate over the wisdom of such installations. Predecessor wind turbines in other areas have done the same. Appearance is one issue. Familiar, cherished landscapes change, and observers like it, tolerate it, or find themselves repelled by it. All understandable. Understandable also is the heat such debates generate. After all taxpayers state- and nationwide are helping to pay the . . . Complete story »
Neighbors pan plan for wind turbine at new school
PLYMOUTH – A proposal to site a wind turbine beside the new Plymouth North High School is not sitting well with most neighbors. Several long-time residents turned out to pan the proposal at a recent presentation by school officials. Residents who have lived in the neighborhood for decades questioned both the noise and shadow effect of the whirling blades, saying the turbine would lower their property values. But one younger neighbor who has first-hand experience with a turbine at his college . . . Complete story »
County could still join legal battle
Wind energy is no miracle cure to global warming or foreign oil. Wind technology comes with its own risks and benefits. Goodhue County’s 10-rotor setback is a common-sense standard that will help protect neighboring property values and prevent the worst problems from wind development. We worked hard to achieve this limited measure of protection. The work to ensure our local ordinance is not ignored is an ongoing legal battle. Goodhue County’s failure to appeal the PUC’s decision not to enforce . . . Complete story »
Hearing under way on wind farm appeal
PENDLETON – The first day of an appeal hearing of the Chopin Wind Project tasked the Umatilla County Commissioners to define laws, boundaries and citizens’ personal preferences when it comes to wind turbines, noise and viewshed. Members of Blue Mountain Alliance, a conservation group formed to oppose wind-farm development in the county, argued Monday against the Chopin project, which the county planning commission approved Oct. 10. WKN USA, a U.S. branch of German company Windkraft Nord, plans to build a 99-megawatt, . . . Complete story »
Time running out for Hawaii wind farm grant
Hawaii residents could be paying tens of millions of dollars in higher electric rates over the next 25 years if state regulators don’t approve a contract for a wind farm on Oahu’s north shore in time for developers to take advantage of a lucrative federal grant. The contract between Boston-based First Wind and Hawaiian Electric Co. must be approved by Dec. 15, according to the developer and HECO. The grant would cover 30 percent of the project’s costs. Without it, . . . Complete story »
County gets proposal for wind project
JEFFERSON – Commissioners have assigned to an independent committee the task of reviewing the sole proposal for a wind energy project at county-owned property in Kingsville Township. The county put out a request for proposals earlier this month and the opening was held last week. Board Chairman Daniel Claypool said the county received only one formal proposal for the project, which would supply a portion of the electricity needed to run the Ashtabula County Nursing Home and Board of Developmental Disabilities . . . Complete story »
