| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: April 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.
Natrona County Commission reconsiders wind tower height regulation
The Natrona County Commission at its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday will hold a public hearing and reconsider whether to adopt a proposed amendment to the zoning regulations that would allow an increase in the height of domestic wind turbines. Last month, commissioners tabled the amendment to let tower heights to rise 15 feet above the current 45-foot maximum as a permitted use in certain zoning districts. Commissioner Bill McDowell expressed concerns about permitting the use of the taller . . . Complete story »
Shelburne residents to vote on wind turbines Tuesday
Some Franklin County residents in Shelburne Falls are worried that wind turbines could come to the area. They’ve started a citizen-driven zoning bylaw change that Shelburne residents will soon vote on. Residents will be voting on the issue Tuesday night, but Monday, some opponents took advantage of the day to get their message out loud and clear. In picturesque Shelburne Falls, a small group gathered on the iconic Bridge of Flowers, standing over the Deerfield River, connecting Shelburne to Buckland. . . . Complete story »
The public has bought the myths of the vast wind energy industry
After almost five years of being on the front line of a battle surrounding a proposed wind farm, I have begun to feel not unlike a turbine myself – buffeted by winds from different directions, turning wearily and often to little effect. During that campaign, I have seen how one part of our national energy policy works on the ground. For all the doubts cast on the effectiveness of wind energy, and the arguments made over the impact of onshore . . . Complete story »
How much fuel is being saved by use of wind farms?
The wind farms on Maui (The Maui News, April 26) may be a blessing to the people supplying and assembling them, but they are probably a curse to those of us paying for them. I am still waiting for the answer to a question I posed to Maui Electric Co. last year: How much, if any, fuel oil is saved by the use of these wind farms? Since diesel generators cannot be shut down and started up quickly, they are . . . Complete story »
Power line foes resist proposals
NORWALK – American Transmission Company held an open house Thursday to explain its proposed transmission line. So did the line’s skeptics. Just three blocks separated the two meetings that were held simultaneously, and both drew people eager to ask questions about the project. Five primary routes for the 345-kilovolt line remain under consideration: two travel through the Holmen/Onalaska area, traversing La Crosse and Monroe counties; three run through Trempealeau and Jackson counties. One of the Monroe County routes would follow . . . Complete story »
East Yorkshire farmers withdraw wind turbine plans
Applications to build three wind turbines near an East Yorkshire cliff have been withdrawn. A council planning meeting was due to discuss the proposals for Bempton Cliffs. The applications for the three turbines had attracted objections from local residents and the Ministry of Defence. The agents for one of the schemes said they had withdrawn the application “in order to examine matters raised by planning officers”. Two of the turbines were to be 25m (82ft) high with the other 46m . . . Complete story »
Controversial plan for wind farm on marshes near Louth to be decided nationally
A plan to build eight wind turbines on land between four marsh villages near Louth will now be decided nationally after an appeal by the developer. German energy firm Energie Kontor have applied to East Lindsey District Council to erect eight 115 metre high turbines between Great Carlton, Gayton le Marsh, Saltfleetby and Theddlethorpe. But the firm appealed to the national planning inspectorate because ELDC did not determine the application within the statutory framework and thus have now lost their . . . Complete story »
Northeast Kingdom senators support big wind moratorium
The four state senators who represent Essex, Orleans, Caledonia and northern Orange counties voted in favor of imposing a statewide moratorium on new wind generation for a period of two years. On a roll call vote, the Vermont Senate rejected the proposed amendment by a vote of 18 to 11. The Senate was debating an appropriations bill Thursday when an amendment for the moratorium was introduced. Northeast Kingdom supporters of the wind moratorium were senators Joe Benning, R-Caledonia-Orange, Sen. Jane . . . Complete story »
Charities regulator explains why it blocked trust meeting on windfarm
The charities regulator OSCR intervened to prevent Shetland Charitable Trust holding a meeting on the next tranche of funding for the Viking Energy windfarm because it was not clear why it was so urgent or that it was in the body’s best interests. Today’s meeting requisitioned by seven trustees on the £6.3 million was cancelled after the watchdog issued a “direction” to the trust on Friday preventing it making a binding decision on the new trustees who will take up . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine project could fail after Scottish Water remove support
Despite securing almost £200,000 of funding to build Scotland’s first urban wind turbine the future of the project is in jeopardy as the landowners remove their support. Scottish Water, which is wholly owned by the Scottish Government, originally supported the scheme to locate a turbine at their Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works in Leith, Edinburgh but confirmed on Monday that it has “not proved possible to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with all the relevant parties”. The community groups behind . . . Complete story »
