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Wind Power News: January 2013
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.
Underground power line from Frostburg substation to Pa. wind farm complete
FROSTBURG – In what officials describe as one of the largest boring operations in recent memory, the installation of an underground generator lead-line to carry power from the Twin Ridges Wind Farm to a substation in Frostburg has been completed. Officials say the project, which required the burying of a complex combination of conduit and cables running from the Mount Pleasant Street Playground out Maryland Avenue to Barnard Street and down the hill to Main Street, required nearly two years of . . . Complete story »
No wind energy help to be found
Wind companies seem to have cornered the market on wind experts. Both Suncor Energy and NextEra Energy are in the final stages of their application for Renewable Energy Approval. Part of the process is to allow municipalities to comment on the plans, including the placement of turbines and terms for using local roads. The plans are contained in three binders and staff wanted some professional help to look through the details and make comments. So Lambton Shores council recently gave . . . Complete story »
Bethlehem takes step toward new wind energy generator for watershed lands
Bethlehem has a new company interested in generating wind energy on the city’s watershed lands. Iberdrola Renewables is seeking to sign a deal with the city to study and then hopefully generate wind energy on Bethlehem’s watershed lands in Carbon County for up to 61 years. Bethlehem City Council’s public works committee gave its endorsement to the deal tonight. Bethlehem has been working to enlist a wind energy company to lease its watershed lands since 2009 but two previous deals . . . Complete story »
The big debate: Should Lincolnshire have more wind farms?
Few issues in Lincolnshire are more divisive – here, campaigners make their cases… YES James Pocklington, a member of the Lincolnshire Pro Wind Alliance The answer will be influenced by your views on two issues: global warming and energy security. Global warming is happening and it is being driven predominantly by the way in which the world economies emit large quantities of carbon dioxide. The consequences of allowing the planet to heat up are severe for all life on earth. . . . Complete story »
Tuttle Hill and the winds of change
Should we pit unbroken forests against renewable energy? If you stood today on sections of Antrim’s Tuttle Hill ridge, you’d hear the wind blowing through the spruce and maples. And as you poke through the trees, you might step over moose and ruffed grouse tracks to get the bobcat’s view of distant hills and ponds. That could all change. For four years now, we’ve followed the news of a proposed wind energy facility on the ridge between Tuttle Hill and . . . Complete story »
Falmouth Board of Selectmen meeting, January 30, 2013
“The Falmouth Board of Selectmen voted Jan. 30 to support removing the town’s industrial-sized turbines, Wind 1 and Wind 2 at the Falmouth Wastewater Treatment Facility, in hopes to unify a divided community.” Click here to read the story. Complete story »
Shirley Wind conditional use permit issues ignored
The Glenmore Town Board continues to wait for the PSC and State Legislators to solve their problems with the Shirley Wind Project that has continued to devastate their community. The fact is, this project is under the direction of town zoning and the Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The Town has total control over this permit and the terms within. The CUP clearly states that if the Wind Energy Facility is the cause of stray voltage (neutral to earth current) or . . . Complete story »
Value of land cut by wind farms
A Victorian council has conceded that a wind farm development still in its early stages has slashed the land value of its neighbours, and agreed their land rates should be cut. In what is believed to be an Australian first, South Gippsland shire council has amended the rates notice for one neighbour of the Bald Hills wind farm project, which is yet to erect any of its 52 planned turbines. The move is being cited as a victory by wind . . . Complete story »
Are utilities using deep pockets to battle local valuations?
Are large utility owners using their deep pockets to force communities to reduce their property valuations below fair market value to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes? The issue was raised this past week at both the Berlin city council meeting and a meeting of the Coos County Commissioners. In a presentation to the city council, Mike Waddell, who works for George E. Sansoucy Engineering and Appraisal Service, argued that corporate utility property owners are engaged “in a . . . Complete story »
Professor disputes use of ‘spinning windmills’
One of country’s leading environmentalists, who is based in North Devon, has described wind turbines as “monuments of a failed civilisation”. Professor James Lovelock has written a letter of objection to Torridge District Council against a planning application for an 84-metre wind turbine at Witherdon Wood, Broadwoodwidger. The professor, who is now in his 90s, has become known in recent years for controversially being an advocate of nuclear power and a staunch opponent of wind energy. In his letter he . . . Complete story »
