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Wind Power News: April 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.
Rift between farm groups may surface at CORE meeting Thursday
The rift in the farm community over wind turbines may be front and center Thursday as the anti-wind group in Enniskillen hosts another public forum. Conserve Our Rural Enniskillen – CORE – was formed after wind energy companies started making the rounds in the countryside around Petrolia hoping to find farmers willing to sign leases to hosts wind turbines. In all, four companies have projects slated for Enniskillen with up to 51 turbines on the books. CORE spokesman Chad Burke . . . Complete story »
Residents to oppose wind turbine plan
Residents have started a campaign to stop a wind turbine being constructed near Ellesmere. Proposals reveal the 500kW turbine would be built near The Newnes, at the side of the A495, and will stand at 338ft to the tip of the blade and will be used to generate energy that will be put into the national grid. Intech Limited, the company behind the turbine, held a consultation meeting last month in Ellesmere for residents. James Meacock, 43, is a campaigner . . . Complete story »
Wainfleet won’t appeal turbine setback ruling
The Township of Wainfleet won’t appeal a recent Superior Court of Ontario judge’s decision that struck down its turbine setback bylaw. “Our lawyer made it clear to us if we did seek an appeal, it probably wouldn’t go in our favour,” Mayor April Jeffs said. “We also looked at how much money we have spent on this and decided not to appeal,” she added. Aldermen met behind closed doors last week with lawyer Donald C. DeLorenzo, of the firm of . . . Complete story »
‘No windfarm’ protection for North Roe
An area around Ronas Hill and North Roe is likely to be the only place in Shetland designated as wild land, protecting it from developments including windfarms. The 5,000 hectare zone is one of 43 “core areas” of wild character in Scotland which Scottish Natural Heritage believes should be protected, along with National Parks and National Scenic Areas. The proposal to safeguard land comes in a draft national planning framework, written by MSP Derek Mackay, minister for local government and . . . Complete story »
Lawsuit alleges wind turbines have caused harm; Plaintiffs seek cease-and-desist order concerning Lake Winds Energy Park
Residents living near wind turbines in Lake Winds Energy Park filed suit earlier this month in 51st Circuit Court and are seeking a jury trial for their case. (The Daily News reported that it was filed then.) The plaintiffs in the suit allege the wind farm has caused them physiological and monetary harm and will continue to do so if allowed to continue operations. They are asking for $25,000 plus interest and attorney’s fees, injunctive relief in the form of . . . Complete story »
Pros and cons (mostly con) aired during Deepwater hearing
Opponents and supporters of the Deepwater Wind’s proposed five-turbine wind farm off Block Island had a chance to air their arguments before the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Wednesday during one of two public hearings being sponsored by the state permitting agency. The second public hearing will be held Wednesday, May 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at New Shoreham Town Hall. DEM officials presented little information about the application seeking a dredging permit and instead immediately opened the . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine sound debate to restart in Emmet County
CROSS VILLAGE – The howling debate about how loud wind turbines should be in Emmet County will resume Thursday night. The Emmet County Planning Commission will discuss the recent findings of a commissioned acoustic review on whether the 35-decibel sound limit on wind energy systems would be viable under a legal challenge. Emmet County’s contracted engineering firm AECOM recommended in its report the county increase its sound ordinance level to 40 decibels for ambient noise, similar to an amendment the county . . . Complete story »
Wind farm divides festival
A Collector plumber has outbid a multinational, multimillion dollar energy company to be this year’s primary sponsor of the Collector Pumpkin Festival, as the divisive issue of wind farming continues to split the small NSW community. Zoltan Hegyi, who has lived in Collector for about 20 years, said he increased his financial sponsorship of the festival by more than 10 times, from $300 to $3500, to snare the event’s main billing and take it back from wind farm and energy . . . Complete story »
Hearing set on changes in wind development process
Pratt, Kan. – A change in the process for British Petroleum, or any energy company to apply to develop a wind energy project in Pratt County, is ready for a public review. A public comment time is set for Monday, May 20 and the public is invited to attend and share opinions on the change in process. After the May meeting, if the new process is approved it will go to the County Commissioners for a vote for approval. If . . . Complete story »
No wind farm around Ronas
A five thousand hectare zone around Ronas Hill and North Roe should be the only place in Shetland designated “wild land”, according to Scottish Natural Heritage. On Tuesday SNH published a map showing 43 areas of wild land across Scotland they believe should be given increased protection from wind farm development under new planning laws. Wind farms are just one issue being looked at in the Scottish government’s draft planning policy, which is open to consultation until 23 July. Launching . . . Complete story »
