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Wind Power News: July 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.
Politicans outraged at plans to ‘ruin’ Mid Wales
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies and Montgomeryshire AM Russell George have slammed National Grid’s plans to “ruin” large parts of Montgomeryshire and have called on communities to remain united. The comments came following this morning’s announcement by National Grid in which they set-out their preferred route corridor and substation site for the Mid Wales Connection Project. National Grid states that the ‘red north’ route via Llansanffriad to Lower Frankton in Shropshire is their preferred route for more than 100 high-voltage pylons . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine worker threatened with gun
West Grey Police are investigating alleged threats against a worker, who says he had a shotgun pulled on him while working on a wind turbine site northeast of London, Ont. Police are also investigating threatening phone calls the man says he received. Jeff Damen was doing preliminary work at the site of a proposed wind farm in the community of West Grey, near London last week when he says a red pickup truck pulled alongside his vehicle and the driver . . . Complete story »
FWS issues draft habitat conservation plan for Maryland wind farm
A 70-megawatt wind farm in northwest Maryland would be the first in the Northeast to receive an approved habitat conservation plan under a draft proposal unveiled today by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency is seeking comment on an environmental assessment for Constellation Energy’s 28-turbine Criterion Wind Project in Oakland, which last summer became Maryland’s first operating wind farm The draft plan includes steps to minimize and mitigate harm to the federally endangered Indiana bat – which is threatened by . . . Complete story »
Vermont wind facility seeks permit for bat deaths
Annette Smith, executive director of Vermonters for a Clean Environment, Inc., which opposes commercial wind power, said her organization had received a copy of FirstWind’s draft permit. “We object to the killing of any and all bats, do not support the issuance of a permit to take or kill them, and support a zero mortality goal by shutting down the turbines when the threat exists,” Smith said. “Vermont should have a zero tolerance for killing bats given the critical condition of their very existence.” Complete story »
Campaigners dismayed as controversial Powys pylon route revealed
Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight against onshore wind farms in mid-Wales after the National Grid selected the route for high-voltage pylons along the picturesque Vyrnwy valley. The pylons and a major new substation at Cefn Coch in Powys will connect the proposed windfarms to the high voltage electricity network in Shropshire using a combination of overhead lines and underground cables. National Grid said it had listened to concerns that the Vyrnwy valley was particularly sensitive to an overhead . . . Complete story »
Cefn Coch chosen as Powys substation site
The village of Cefn Coch has been selected as the preferred site for a controversial electricity substation in Powys. Plans could see the hub, near Llanfair Caereinion, linked by more than 100 high voltage pylons. The announcement was made by the National Grid at a meeting in Welshpool. Opponents say the substation and the pylons, to service wind farms, will disfigure the countryside. Montgomeryshire Against Pylons (Map) called the decision a “travesty” and are organising a meeting for local residents . . . Complete story »
Wind farm could wipe out TV signals
Thousands of Somerset residents could be left without TV reception if a controversial wind farm wins planning permission, according to a campaign group. The Pilrow wind farm, proposed by Broadview Energy Limited, earmarks land next to the M5 between the villages of Rooksbridge and Mark for development, and features four wind turbines. Plans now been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for approval. In opposition to the proposal, action group NoPilrow has said one turbine in the wind farm could affect . . . Complete story »
RES wins Glenchamber wind farm appeal
A wind farm developer has won its appeal against a council decision to reject its plans for an 11-turbine project in Wigtownshire. RES can now go ahead with the Glenchamber scheme between New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce. Dumfries and Galloway Council refused the proposal last year due to concerns over its “significant adverse impact” on the landscape in the area. However, the decision was overturned by the Scottish government. Heather Donald, RES development project manager, said the company was “delighted”, . . . Complete story »
Yass turbines in sight
Two wind farms proposed near Yass have been given a kick-along, with recent buyers keen to see construction start early next year. Wind company Epuron announced late last week it was buying the Yass Valley and the Conroys Gap wind farms back from Origin Energy. Epuron sold the two projects to Origin in 2001 and 2010 but said it wanted to get back into the market because demand was growing again. “From Epuron’s perspective they are both very good projects,” . . . Complete story »
Romney comes out in firm opposition to PTC extension
Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign came out yesterday with its strongest opposition to date on extending a key wind industry tax credit, saying the presumptive Republican nominee will allow it “to expire” and tying the issue to broader opposition to President Obama’s support for renewable energy. Romney had not shied away from criticizing Obama’s support for renewable energy – highlighting the loan guarantee to now-bankrupt solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, among other issues, at numerous campaign stops this year – but the candidate until . . . Complete story »
