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Wind Power News: May 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.
Xcel wants out of Goodhue wind deal
Controversial plans to build a $180 million wind farm in rural Goodhue County appear to be on life support. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy told the state’s Public Utilities Commission last week that it is “unable to wait any longer” and wants to break a 20-year power purchase agreement with New Era Wind Farm LLC, the developer behind the long-stalled 78-megawatt wind project. In a May 24 filing with the PUC, the utility said it wants New Era to voluntarily drop out . . . Complete story »
Xcel could add 550 megawatts of wind power in Colorado in next 2 years
Xcel Energy Inc. is asking state regulators to add 550 megawatts worth of wind-generated power to its Colorado grid — boosting its amount of wind power by 25 percent. If state regulators approve the request, Xcel (NYSE: XEL) will have more than 2,700 megawatts of wind power in Colorado, it said Thursday. Xcel had asked the Colorado Public Utilities Commission in February for permission to request proposals for wind power projects because the utility said it needed to move quickly . . . Complete story »
Rural politicians pan wind farm fix
Local politicians and leaders of community groups took turns Thursday piling on the Wynne government, saying new rules for wind farms fall far short of what’s needed. The rules, revealed by Sun Media this week and outlined Thursday by Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli, promise to increase consultation with affected municipalities. “Unless we can get full veto, I just don’t know if it’s going to be very good for us,” Middlesex County Warden Brad Richards said. “Don’t do it halfway.” The . . . Complete story »
Negative reaction to new green rules
There’s a lot of negative reaction to the province’s announcement that it is changing the rules on green energy projects. The Minister of Energy has announced that the Liberal government would be scrapping its controversial, unaffordable FIT program, and giving municipalities more say in renewable energy projects. Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, who is the P.C. Deputy Critic for Energy, has been calling for this since being elected 18 months ago. In a news release, Thompson stated this is another case . . . Complete story »
Wind farm opposition garners First Nation’s support
The group opposing a wind farm on the Nor’Wester Mountains had some additional support at a rally Wednesday night. The Nor’Wester Mountain Escarpment Protection Committee is now teaming up with members of the Fort William First Nation, who want to protect the community’s land and water. Irene Bond, who speaks for the committee, said it’s important to have support from neighbours like the Fort William First Nation. “If we, as a community, had been involved from the beginning on what . . . Complete story »
Intervenor funds awarded; Judge urges respect of local law
Cape Vincent – Nearly $93,000 of the funds supplied by British Petroleum to help cover the cost of experts and professionals hired to advise on wind issues was assigned to applicants during a May 21 pre-application conference held at the Cape Vincent Elementary School. New York State Administrative Law Judges Paul Agresta and Maria Villa held a court of sorts in the school gymnasium in front of approximately 200 residents and town officials from Cape Vincent, Clayton, Lyme, Orleans and Hammond. . . . Complete story »
Delight as turbine plans kicked out
Auchterarder and Muthill residents have welcomed news controversial plans to erect nine wind turbines just outside of Crieff have been thrown out. Developer Force 9 Energy’s proposal for the Mull Hill Wind Farm on Abercairney Estate was kicked out by the council’s management committee as the Times went to Press last week but many have welcomed the decision. Concerned about the visual impact the turbines may have had on surrounding areas and the cumulative impact with the Beauly to Denny . . . Complete story »
Wind energy document will set out rules for new turbine applications
A document which will heavily influence future applications for wind turbines is set to be given the green light by the district council’s cabinet on Monday. The Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document will give criteria to be applied when determining applications for wind energy developments. The document spells out considerations which developers must take into account when making a wind turbine application. When considering the siting of turbines, some of the principles that must be followed are: * Avoid unacceptable . . . Complete story »
FIT changes too late for Niagara: Jeffs
Changes allowing municipalities to have more say in large-scale renewable energy projects such as wind farms are too late for two Niagara municipalities. “It’s really disappointing,” Wainfleet Mayor April Jeffs said after hearing Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli talk about changes to the way the province goes about renewable enegy development. Under than plan Chiarelli rolled out May 30 at the Solar 2013 Conference in Niagara Falls was an initiative which would see municipalities take a more active roles in prijects . . . Complete story »
New approach to green power
The province promised Thursday to give municipalities more opportunities to get involved in the creation of clean-energy projects. But cities and towns that don’t want a wind or solar farm in their backyards still won’t be able to say no to them by denying zoning changes. “The changes we’re making to the procurement process will provide municipalities with a stronger role going forward, but will not provide a veto,” Energy Ministry spokeswoman Kirby Dier said in an email. The new . . . Complete story »
