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Wind Power News: February 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.
Moratorium removed from wind bill
MONTPELIER – Senators have removed a proposed moratorium from legislation regulating large-scale wind projects. But the bill would now require that wind developments be judged under the full criteria of Act 250, the state’s main development review law. Both sides of the wind debate are disappointed in the latest version. Act 250 says developments must conform to local and regional plans. So Sen. Robert Hartwell, D-Bennington, said the new version of the bill will give towns and regional planning commissions more . . . Complete story »
Wind energy developer asks court to dismiss injunction bid
GODERICH – The developers of a 270-MW wind energy project north of Goderich are asking the court to dismiss an attempt by a local couple to stop its project. On Friday, March 1, K2 Wind Ontario Partnership is scheduled to ask the court to strike a request for an injunction that was made by Shawn and Trisha Drennan, landowners in the proposed K2 Wind Project slated for Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, according to a press release issued by the couple’s law firm, Falconer . . . Complete story »
New motions seeking wind-farm moratorium tabled in Legislature
MPP Lisa Thompson (PC Huron-Bruce), saying there’s evidence that industrial wind turbines (IWT) have indirect adverse effects on human health, has re-tabled motions calling for a moratorium on further wind development in Ontario. She had filed the motions prior to the proroguing of the Legislature last fall, and now says she has evidence that the McGuinty government had evidence of “indirect” human health effects for persons living in proximity to the IWTs. Her current tabling of the motions follows closely . . . Complete story »
No wind power when it’s most needed
A parliamentary inquiry into wind farms in SA has heard that only eight per cent of the State’s installed wind generating capacity is available on hot summer days when demand is greatest. In fact, most wind power generated in SA is sent to Victoria when electricity demand and price are at rock-bottom. Giving evidence at the inquiry was ElectraNet, the State’s principal transmission company which transports high voltage power across long distances and to remote areas. ElectraNet said Victoria produced . . . Complete story »
County Plan Commission to consider ordinance amendment on wind turbines
Members of the Marshall County Plan Commission will resume their consideration of a proposed amendment to the county’s Wind Energy Ordinance. Last month Stephen Snyder from Snyder Morgan LLP in Syracuse presented an ordinance amendment that would basically make it impossible for a commercial grade wind turbine system to locate within the county. An increase in the setback requirements in a lake districts and town residential zoning would increase from 1,000 feet to 2,640 feet or a half mile. The . . . Complete story »
Solar project clouds Hatfield neighborhood
Many Hatfield residents aren’t feeling very sunny these days about a large-scale solar installation in the middle of their neighborhood. Nor should they be. Instead of farmland, they’ll get a much different view of renewable energy’s benefits. Some 8,276 photovoltaic panels are slated for installation in a residential area near the town’s center off Chestnut Street. Those panels will power the 2.4-megawatt plant. The 35-acre solar farm passed a key hurdle last week when the Zoning Board of Appeals ruled . . . Complete story »
Wind farm developer files emergency request
A developer hopes to breathe new life into a proposed wind farm. Earlier this month, the Public Service Commission rejected a plan for a wind farm in St. Croix County because it was concerned about noise pollution. The plan called for 44 turbines that would generate more than 100 megawatts of power. Last week, Highland Wind Farm, LLC filed a request to have the PSC reconsider the plan. The developer says the company expected the commission to impose noise restrictions . . . Complete story »
Southeast Minnesota wind-power project to air eagle protection plan
An embattled wind energy project proposed for rural Goodhue County is getting another chance to show state regulators that it is taking adequate precautions to avoid killing nearby nesting bald eagles. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a hearing Thursday, Feb. 28, to consider a protection and monitoring plan for birds and bats for the New Era Wind Farm, a 78-megawatt project formerly known as the Goodhue Wind Project. Last year, project opponents convinced the PUC to bar Goodhue . . . Complete story »
Public hearing planned March 19 on Fourmile wind turbine project
MCHENRY – A public hearing to receive comments on Fourmile Wind Energy, LLC’s request to the Maryland Public Service Commission to expedite a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity will be held March 19 at 6 p.m. in Room 224 of the Garrett College Continuing Education Building. Comments also will be received on Fourmile Wind Energy and Synergics Wind Energy, LLC’s request to waive the requirements for a tap loop line for the proposed 24 wind turbines near Frostburg. To submit written comments, . . . Complete story »
An affront to natural heritage
Our residence on Lake Champlain in North Hero affords a spectacular panorama of Green Mountain peaks and ridgelines stretching from majestic Jay Peak in the north to Mount Abraham many miles to the south. It’s an iconic Vermont landscape image, whereby with some blurring of reality, one could imagine that what the eye perceives as undeveloped wilderness might actually be real due to the relative absence of civilization’s markings. Almost. Recently, four gleaming white pillars were erected on a nearby . . . Complete story »
