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Wind Power News: February 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.
State will consider turbine health concerns
LEE – Facing a barrage of criticism from wind-turbine opponents, state officials promised to take into account citizens’ concerns as they form plans for the future of the contentious alternative energy source in Massachusetts. Anxieties about how sounds produced by wind turbines affect the health of those who live nearby dominated the last of three public forums the state held Tuesday night at Lee Middle and High School. Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Public . . . Complete story »
Legislators consider a 2-year moratorium on wind development
JEROME – Drive along Interstate 84 long enough and you’ll begin to notice a trend: simple, but catchy billboards warning against the perils of wind energy. The billboards share their message not in pictures, but with the word “wind” bolded bright red within the word “Swindle.” It’s a warning sprinkled from Jerome to American Falls, sponsored by the Energy Integrity Project, a recently formed group comprised of anti-wind energy activists. The group sees a need to correct statements so far . . . Complete story »
Lake Township voters say windmills won’t turn here
HURON COUNTY – Lake Township voters took a stand against wind farms Tuesday. A referendum asking residents to approve the adoption of the township’s wind energy zoning ordinance was voted down 207-128, according to election-night results from Huron County Clerk Lori S. Neal-Wonsowicz. The ordinance was adopted by the township planning commission, but it did not go into effect because a petition was filed in early July 2011 by resident Clay Kelterborn, who wanted to put the ordinance up for a . . . Complete story »
Heath puts moratorium on turbine, solar farm projects
HEATH – A special town meeting to put a temporary moratorium on large-scale wind turbine and solar generating facilities brought out a large crowd that shouted out “aye” when the article came up for a vote. Although it wasn’t unanimous, all but one or two of the 81 voters quickly agreed to impose a four-month temporary moratorium on wind and photovoltaic systems capable of generating more than 35 kilowatts of energy. The article amends the town’s zoning bylaws by adding a . . . Complete story »
Getting tough on turbines: Plympton-Wyoming wants big money from wind operators
The $200,000 security may seem like a lot, but wind energy opponents argue it will costs thousands to take down the 300 tonne structures and dig up the tonnes of concrete in the ground which supports them. The big deposit is one of two salvos fired at the wind industry. Plympton-Wyoming has changed its planning bylaw to force turbines 2,000 meters from homes - nearly three times more than the provincial setback limit of 550 meters. Complete story »
Plymouth North High School: School board rejects turbine proposal
PLYMOUTH – Wind power is not coming to Plymouth North High School, but more solar energy may be on the school horizon. The School Committee unanimously rejected a plan Monday to erect a wind turbine on the school campus, citing a desire to be a good neighbor. School officials said they may pursue expanded solar power possibilities at the new school instead. The vote came after impassioned pleas from residents who live around the school to respect their health and wellbeing . . . Complete story »
Vote against turbines
People in and around Ferryden have voted by a narrow margin to oppose GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) application for two wind turbines at its local factory. Ferryden and Craig Community Council mounted a month-long survey of residents within its ward to help formulate a response to the company’s planning application, which was lodged with Angus Council in December. In a result which was closer than expected, of the 186 relevant returns, 85 respondents supported the proposal while 97 were against. Four expressed . . . Complete story »
Meaford council wants turbines stopped
Meaford council has passed a resolution calling for a one-year moratorium on further industrial wind turbine development across Ontario. Deputy Mayor Harley Greenfield brought the resolution forward to council at its regular meeting on February 27. The Deputy Mayor said the resolution originated from recent resolutions passed by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie. Greenfield said he brought forward his own version of the industrial turbine resolution, because he didn’t support some elements of the versions . . . Complete story »
Local communities ‘can’t fight unwanted wind farms’
Local communities have no chance of fighting “unwanted” on-shore wind farms” under the Government’s planning reforms, a group of academics, politicians and celebrities warns today. An alliance of prominent public figures, including Dr David Bellamy, the environmentalist, and Sian Lloyd, the weather presenter, is today sending a letter to the Prime Minister urging a re-think of new planning rules. The 33 signatories of the letter fear changes to the planning system will make it easier to build on the countryside. . . . Complete story »
Another setback for offshore wind farm near Atlantic City
For the second time this month, a consultant retained by the state has determined that an offshore wind farm proposed three miles off the coast of Atlantic City has failed to justify the economic benefits of moving forward. The findings place big new hurdles in front of the Fishermen’s Atlantic City wind farm, the most advanced of several offshore projects vying to build wind turbines to produce pollution-free electricity along the coast of New Jersey. Perhaps more importantly, the report . . . Complete story »
