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Wind Power News: January 2012
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.
The county’s big wind map? It’s a lot of hot air
I have some advice for Kern County Supervisors who on Tuesday will be mulling what to do with a proposed wind resources map: scrap it! The map doesn’t – at least it shouldn’t – put anyone’s mind at ease about where wind projects won’t be allowed, as Supervisor Zack Scrivner and county planning department officials have tried to sell it. Quite the opposite. The map is nothing but a shameful ploy to distract residents. But I’ll come back to that. Here’s why . . . Complete story »
Hot air – Wind farms ‘bollocks’
The public meeting on wind farms at Naracoorte on Tuesday night sent a strong message to the State Government: Leave the SE alone. Only five of the 22 people at the meeting voiced their opinions on the Development Policy Amendment plan at Naracoorte Town Hall, but it was clear that the prevailing attitude of the meeting was hostility towards wind farms. One opponent described the DPA plan as “complete and utter bollocks”, while another pleaded: “Please do not forget us.” . . . Complete story »
Update: Lewes resident seeks to halt turbine
Lewes – A Lewes resident is seeking to halt the wind turbine near the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment campus in Lewes. In a federal lawsuit filed Jan. 9 Jerry Lechliter alleges the wind turbine was built on open space lands in violation of law. The action states defendants obtained permits for the wind turbine based on misrepresentations and seeks injunctive relief and damages. Lechliter filed the suit against the University of Delaware, Department of Natural Resources . . . Complete story »
Clean energy coalition won’t make ballot in 2012
The group attempting to advance a citizen initiative that would increase energy efficiency and a requirement that electricity providers derive a certain amount of power from renewable sources announced Monday that it’s waiting until 2013 to bring the issue to voters. The announcement by Maine Citizens for Clean Energy came several hours after the group canceled a news conference that was supposed to accompany its presentation of signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office to put a citizens initiative on . . . Complete story »
Turbine dispute hinges on legal standing
ORLEANS – Orleans District Court Judge Brian Merrick heard arguments Monday about whether a woman who opposes a wind turbine at a Dennis shellfish hatchery has legal standing in the case. Aquaculture Research Corp., wants to install a 242-foot wind turbine on its 39 acres of beachfront property near Chapin Memorial Beach. The Dennis Old King’s Highway Historic District Commission approved, issuing a certificate of appropriateness for the project in August 2010. But the regional board of the multitown historic district . . . Complete story »
Island band wants wind projects delayed
I was driving through M’Chigeeng the other day and wondered how long it will be before the two industrial wind turbines are up and running. Nothing much has happened since they were erected on the bluff. They don’t even have any lights on them. (I hope they aren’t on anyone’s flight path.) The big wind project on MacLean’s Mountain, near Little Current, is awaiting approval from the Ministry of the Environment. Two things have happened that may have impact on . . . Complete story »
Call to halt turbines over MoD fears
Senior planners are calling for a moratorium on the development of wind turbines in rural Buchan because of Ministry of Defence concerns that renewable energy schemes are interfering with vital defence surveillance systems. Members of the Buchan area committee of Aberdeenshire Council are today expected to reject plans for three single turbine schemes because of the threat they could pose to operations at RAF Buchan. RAF Buchan, near Peterhead, ceased operations as a key part of Britain’s strategic defences eight . . . Complete story »
Selectmen withdraw wind turbines studies from warrant
DUXBURY – Selectmen Monday night officially withdrew from the Town Meeting warrant consideration of an article seeking funding for wind turbine studies. Complete story »
Burnham wind farm protest group challenges developer over photos
Campaigners fighting a proposed wind farm on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea have this week released a new photomontage showing how the controversial turbines will tower over the countryside – and they have challenged the developers to produce their own image. The No Pilrow group released the photo on Monday (January 30th) to show how the four 130-metre tall turbines would look if they are built on land near Pilrow Farm at Rooksbridge, with Brent Knoll in the background. The group’s . . . Complete story »
Public hearing on ridge line bill January 31 at FCHS
Floyd – Floyd County Supervisors, facing public concern and misunderstanding on the intent of an ordinance banning ridge line construction of structures higher than 40 feet above the ridge, Tuesday night began looking for ways to modify the ordinance even before a public hearing next week. At their first nighttime meeting under a new two-meetings a month schedule, supervisors heard from citizens opposed to construction of 490-feet high wind turbine generators while still questioning whether or not the proposed ordinance would . . . Complete story »
