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Wind Power News: March 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.
Bernie betrayed us
[Removed by request of the author (noli me tangere)] This is a letter of frustration; I want to be sure it is also a letter of respect. You have represented the people of Vermont and the working people of the United States tirelessly and well. It has been my privilege to support you in the voting booth, in my published writings, and in conversations with my neighbors and friends. I am proud to call you my senator. I hope you . . . Complete story »
Energy bills to soar due to ‘stealth tax’
Energy-intensive industries are bracing themselves for a renewed surge in utility bills tomorrow when the UK government’s highly controversial Carbon Price Floor starts feeding through into energy costs. Lambasted by business and environmental groups as a “stealth tax”, the price floor is expected to raise up to £3.2 billion over the next three years. Although critics say the funds should be ploughed back into the green energy technologies that the price floor is intended to support, the money will instead . . . Complete story »
CRD vows to continue battling Tipton wind farms
SHARPSVILLE – Although the Tipton County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a conditional use permit for the proposed Prairie Breeze Wind Farm, members of group opposed to the development believe they walked away with a victory. The BZA approved juwi Wind’s request for the permit but imposed conditions including a 1,500 foot setback from adjacent property lines from the nearest wind turbine and guarantee of property values for non- participating property owners. Jeff Hoover with the Tipton County Citizen’s for Responsible . . . Complete story »
Turbines put near Lake Erie energize conservation, wind power debate
Two factions with their foundations firmly anchored in conservation causes are engaged in a standoff along the Lake Erie shoreline. Wind power advocates have defended the presence of several large turbines and are pressing for the installation of more units. Those who have fought to preserve and enhance habitat in the marshes and woodlots near the lake for waterfowl, migratory birds, and bald eagles oppose the presence of wind turbines in the environmentally sensitive area and want a protected corridor . . . Complete story »
The power struggle
Under the red sandstone steeple of Lockerbie Town Hall, late in February, an event took place that some top officials might prefer to keep quiet. It was a public inquiry into a proposal to erect 21 wind turbines at nearby Newfield. If it were permitted, the ensuing 63 megawatts would produce enough power to satisfy more than 30,000 homes. That’s about seven Lockerbies, but still a relatively small amount of power – it’s not enough to get the population of . . . Complete story »
Darlington area wind farm decision deferred
A decision on whether to remove a planning condition on a windfarm development that could protect residents from unacceptable levels of noise has been deferred to look at alternative legal safeguards. Banks Renewables applied to Darlington Borough Council to remove a condition about the prevention and monitoring of amplitude modulation (AM), a noise side effect of some windfarms, at its six-turbine development at Moor House, on the outskirts of Darlington. The council’s planning committee agreed to delay a decision to . . . Complete story »
E.ON sells tax credits for future development
E.ON Climate & Renewables has sold a stake in the Wildcat Wind Farm for $174.9 million to a group of investors that include two of the nation’s largest financial institutions. J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo purchased the federal subsidy tax credits of 2.2-cents per kilowatt generated by phase one of the Wildcat Wind Farm in Tipton and Madison counties. The tax-equity financing give investors a share of the project’s tax incentives. E. ON spokesman Matt Tullis said E. ON . . . Complete story »
Turbine foes left to twist in the wind
I love the look of serene, shimmering wind turbines standing sentry on a hill. Especially when they’re in some isolated place. In Europe. And green energy delights me. I’d like to bequeath my grandchildren a clean Earth. And the many billions of dollars they – and the government – will need to pay for it. I’m resigned to our house value plummeting once the 36 turbines proposed for our small rural community are in place. Our children have promised to look after . . . Complete story »
Wind power fallacy
Bills in the General Assembly, H298 in the House and S365 in the Senate, would repeal the renewable mandate, a requirement of SB3, mistakenly passed by the 2007 General Assembly that would raise electricity prices in North Carolina. SB3 would do this through a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (RPS), requiring North Carolina utility companies, i.e., Duke Energy, to supply all its customers with a percentage of renewable energy. Renewable energy pleases environmentalists, but it would mean we . . . Complete story »
Energy Board flooded with objections to NextEra’s transmission project
NextEra Energy is facing stiff opposition to its transmission plan. Dozens of people, organizations, and businesses have filed to be interveners at an Ontario Energy Board Hearing on the transmission line project to serve three of NextEra’s projects including the Jericho Wind Energy project in Lambton Shores. The company plans to erect 100 foot poles over 30 km along roads in Middlesex County to carry the power generated by the wind projects near Strathroy and Lambton Shores. But some neighbours . . . Complete story »
