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.
Special Report: Is going green destroying the lives of locals?
Huge wind turbines are dotting the landscape in New York and Massachusetts, producing megawatts of green energy. So why would people living near these giant windmills want them out? While green energy has become a priority in many states, those who live with it in their backyard say it’s dangerous to their health and their farms. “It sounds just like a prop jet outside the house,” says Keith Dillenbeck, his description of wind turbines defying many people’s picture of green . . . Complete story »
Embarrassing snafu at Ocotillo Express Wind project
A photo making the rounds of social media may prove embarrassing to Pattern Energy, the developer of the huge Ocotillo Express Wind project in Imperial County. The photo, which we’ve embedded here, shows a recycling truck for one of the project’s contractors dug in to the rims on land clearly marked as a BLM habitat restoration area. According to the moderators of the “Ocotillo Wind Turbine Destruction” Facebook page, set up by local opponents of the 315-megawatt wind facility at . . . Complete story »
Protesters oppose 1,150 wind farms in midlands
Up to 50 people opposed to plans for the siting of some 1,150 wind turbines in the midlands are protesting outside a conference on renewable power in Tullamore this morning. Chanting slogans such as “welcome to the midlands, England’s offshore windfarm”, the protesters said electricity from the windfarms would be exported to the UK, giving little benefit to the midlands, which would have to endure the disruption and noise from the turbines. Pat Gaye from Mullingar in Co Westmeath said . . . Complete story »
Land management rule will facilitate renewable energy development on public lands
In support of the Administration’s strategy to develop environmentally responsible renewable energy on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is issuing a regulation that will facilitate right-of-way applications for lands with wind and solar energy development potential. The Final Rule to be published in tomorrow’s Federal Register will allow the BLM, when necessary for the orderly administration of the public lands, to temporarily segregate lands in a wind or solar energy right-of-way application from the location of mining . . . Complete story »
Mass walk protest against turbines plan
Residents and community groups are uniting to fight the latest bid to bring a wind farm to the Buckinghamshire countryside. After campaigners won their bid to stop turbines near Stoke Hammond earlier this year, another scheme has led to another set of villagers to mount a battle plan. Vale MP and House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, will be joining concerned residents for a mass walk to the proposed site of the turbines at Salden. The campaign to fight the . . . Complete story »
Seabirds fly into danger at rural turbines
A controversial windfarm planned for rural Buchan could wipe out scores of seabirds each year, a leading conservation charity has warned. RSPB Scotland has spoken out against proposals for eight turbines at Hill of Braco, near Hatton, south of Peterhead. The animal welfare body believes that at least 48 herring gulls would collide with the masts each year – representing just under 1% of the local breeding population. However, the actual number of gulls killed in and around the area . . . Complete story »
Citizens voice concerns over ridgetop ordinance
Carroll County supervisors heard from eight citizens in a public hearing April 15 on the proposed ordinance for construction of tall structures on certain ridgelines. Carroll supervisors have been discussing the topic for over a year after EDP Renewables/Horizon Wind Energy proposed a wind farm on Stoots Mountain early in 2012. The county previously tabled a proposed windmill ordinance that the board worried could hinder economic development in Carroll County. The new ordinance is more regulatory in nature, and would . . . Complete story »
Dear PUC commissioners — your consultant kind of missed the point
“If you want to walk fast, walk alone; but if you want to walk far, walk together.” – African proverb I just finished reading the transcript of the “open session” the Public Utilities Commission hosted last month: the format included a lively conversation between moderator Maurice Kaya (project director for Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture) and lawyer/consultant/“guest presenter,” Scott Hempling. I am now sorry I couldn’t be there, for two reasons. First, I learned a lot from this transcript. I learned . . . Complete story »
Residents sign up to wind turbine petition
A group of campaigners have taken their fight to Aberdeenshire Council’s headquarters, calling for a clearly defined minimum distance between a wind turbine development and the nearest home. The delegation last Thursday presented council leader, Councillor Jim Gifford, with their Petition Against Close Turbines (PACT), with 1,740 signatures gathered in towns and villages in the Banffshire area. The group say they are not against wind turbines, but rather against positioning the developments in unsuitable locations. The petition calls on the . . . Complete story »
Planners look again at noise restrictions
Noise restrictions imposed on a controversial and yet-to-be-built wind farm – then approved by a planning inspector and unchanged by the High Court – are to be reconsidered by planners. Permission has already been granted for nine turbines in the Den Brook Valley, near Crediton, but the facility remains on the drawing board due to concerns over noise pollution. Developers Renewable Energy Systems (RES) have now applied to West Devon Borough Council to vary the conditions. Mike Hulme, a long-time . . . Complete story »
