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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.
Sabotage rumours follow Bradworthy wind turbine collapse
The collapse of a 35-metre high turbine near Holsworthy has sparked rumours over sabotage by anti-turbine protestors. The turbine at East Ash Farm, in Bradworthy, collapsed in the early hours of Sunday morning and both the installers of the turbine Dulas Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive have confirmed investigations are underway. The proliferation of turbines in the Bradworthy area means there is a lot of ill feeling towards the structures and the parish council has a policy of . . . Complete story »
Green Energy Act needs to be changed
As so many people face the possibility of living near industrial wind turbines, it seems to me that we need changes to the Green Energy Act. Of course this can be done only at the provincial level. Individuals and township councils have had to struggle long and hard, and it should not have fallen on their shoulders. The province got us into this situation, and a new premier, with the legislature again in session, just my be willing to make . . . Complete story »
County in dispute over wind park
COOS COUNTY – The owner of the Granite Reliable Power wind park is disputing its 2013 payment in lieu of taxes to Coos County for the 99-megawatt wind farm. Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, which holds a majority interest in the wind park, made a $249,175 payment to the county for 2013. The Coos commissioners, however, argue under the agreement signed with the county in March 2008 the payment should be $495,000. “They’re in clear violation of the PILOT agreement that . . . Complete story »
Scituate Wind: Next step, sound study
Scituate – Plans for an acoustical study to determine if the wind turbine is operating within state requirements will move forward after the Scituate Board of Health voted unanimously on Monday (Jan. 28) to follow the recommendations of members of the wind turbine steering committee. However, not all members of the steering committee were pleased with the board’s decision. “Not surprisingly, the Scituate Board of Health ignored its responsibilities to the residents impacted by the Scituate industrial wind turbine and voted . . . Complete story »
RTA turbine draws complaint
SOUTH DENNIS – Jennifer O’Neill of South Dennis told selectmen Tuesday night that since the blades went up on the Regional Transit Authority’s wind turbine off American Way, she has been bothered by the noise. An RTA official told O’Neill that the turbine can only be turned off in an emergency. O’Neill, who would like the turbine shut down at night, appealed to selectmen for help. Selectman Wayne Bergeron said he will visit O’Neill’s property to assess the problem, but that . . . Complete story »
DNR holds hearing on endangered species
Mike Pappas is concerned that the state is moving too fast in lowering legal protection for snapping and wood turtles. Mary Brickzin-Gale and Rochelle Nygaard fear that a large wind farm in Goodhue County will kill bald eagles and trumpeter swans. Konrad Schmidt worries bluntnose darters and hornyhead chubs aren’t getting the attention, and legal protection, they need. Maureen Hackett is exasperated that the state has taken the timber wolf off the list of threatened, endangered or special concern species. . . . Complete story »
Wind farm blight
Reports suggest that home owners affected by the HS2 high speed railway will receive higher than average compensation payments if their homes are close by. Anyone living near a newly built motorway receives compensation, but people forced to live near wind farms receive nothing. Many European countries pay compensation for people whose homes have been devalued by a wind farm, but the establishment and the wind industry in the UK are still insisting that home values are not affected. Many . . . Complete story »
On siting wind: Can the state level the playing field?
MONTPELIER – The push to reform the process of siting wind projects might have received a boost here during a recent technical hearing before the Public Service Board (PSB). One of the present issues before reformers is how to level the playing field. What that issue boils down to is money. Money a town needs to pay the lawyers and experts to represent its interest before the PSB.Newark has fought against a wind project on its ridgeline since day one. Last . . . Complete story »
Lowering of wind turbines comes to completion
The long process of lowering Cloud County Community College’s two Northwind turbines should finally come to a conclusion next week. Bob Maxson, vice president of administrative services, told the board of trustees Tuesday night that the top sections of both turbines were removed last week. In August 2012, the board approved spending $190,000 to lower the two turbines. A determination of hazard had been placed on the turbines by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2011, which had been holding up . . . Complete story »
On wind, Bernie and the moratorium
Almost a quarter of a century ago, on election night 1988, we were sitting in this office collecting returns as the town clerks around Orleans County got them pulled together. The big surprise of the night was that, in his first bid for a seat in Congress, Bernie Sanders had beaten Republican Peter Smith in the town of Albany. Albany didn’t turn liberal – or, Heaven knows, socialist – in 1988. Its voters picked Republican Michael Bernhardt over the sitting Governor, Madeleine . . . Complete story »
