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Wind Power News: June 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.
Wind turbine plans for Burnfoot Hill KO’d
A planning application to extend Burnfoot Hill Windfarm to include an additional six turbines was rejected. The plans for Rhodders Wind Farm, west of Burnfoot Hill, north of Tillicoultry, were knocked back at a meeting of Clackmannanshire Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 13 June. After hearing representation on behalf of the applicant and listening to objectors, elected members went to a roll call vote. Divided in their opinion, convenor Alastair Campbell used his casting vote to refuse the application. The . . . Complete story »
Drawing a line in the sand with Deepwater
NARRAGANSETT- The chambers of the town hall were filled with anxious residents waiting for answers regarding the offshore wind turbines during a work session Wednesday with the Narragansett Town Council and Deepwater Wind. Town Council President James Callaghan began the discussion by clarifying with both the residents and the present members of Deepwater Wind that despite some of the comments during previous town council meetings, the council has never had any previous negotiations with Deepwater Wind. “Just to set the . . . Complete story »
A critical vote coming in Peru
I am writing to inform residents of Peru that there is a special town meeting on Monday, July 8 at 7 p.m. Peru residents will vote on whether or not to change the existing wind energy bylaws. If these proposed revisions to the bylaws get passed, this will open the door for wind turbines to be put up in Peru. I encourage people to come out that night and vote NO to fragmenting our forests. We are a rural, quiet . . . Complete story »
Historic city of York threatened by a circle of 40 wind farms
One of Britain’s most historic cities is being threatened by a circle of 40 wind farms under plans drawn-up by its Labour-led authority. The sites have been identified in the council’s draft local plan, a document that sets out development for the next 15 years. The council says the locations – most of which are in areas of green countryside – are only potential sites and that any wind turbines would be subject to a planning application. But opponents fear . . . Complete story »
RSPB gives the go-ahead to bird-killing windmills
The RSPB vowed last night to press ahead with plans for a wind turbine at its headquarters despite one of the rarest birds seen in the UK being killed by one last week. Twitchers had flocked to the Outer Hebrides for a glimpse of the world’s fastest-flying bird, a white-throated needletail, only spotted on these shores eight times since 1846. Yet within hours of it arriving on the Isle of Harris the bird, capable of 106mph, had dropped dead after . . . Complete story »
Wolfe Island couple await decision
A Wolfe Island couple fighting to have the negative economic effects of wind turbines factored into their house assessment will have to wait several more weeks for a final ruling on their appeal. Ed and Gail Kenney claim important information about other property assessments on the island that resulted in reductions were not available at their original hearing. In 2012, a Municipal Property Assessment Corporation tribunal upheld the increase on their property value, which rose from $200,000 to $357,000 between . . . Complete story »
Concern over more wind turbines at Aikengall project
East Lothian Councillor Michael Veitch has expressed his concern over plans to erect 30 more turbines at the Aikengall wind farm. Commenting on the plans, the Conservative councillor for Dunbar said: “With the dust having only just settled on the recent decision to grant permission for 19 more turbines in this area – the Aikengall 2/Wester Dod scheme – I’m sure many of my constituents in Oldhamstocks and the surrounding villages, will be utterly dismayed that up to 30 more . . . Complete story »
Latest twist in long-running turbine saga
The Palgrave wind turbine row has taken another twist. With the village still split over the controversial addition to the community centre playing fields, Palgrave and District Community Council (PDCC) formed an independent working party to try and find a solution to the long-running saga. The group has spent six months trying to appease both residents unhappy about the noise and visual disruption caused by the turbine, and the PDCC, which is reliant on income generated by the energy-producing contraption . . . Complete story »
West Fife villages zoned as prime sites for wind farms
The West Fife villages area has been earmarked as a prime location for windfarm developments. However, local MSP Bill Walker has warned the Kingdom will lose tourist appeal by spoiling picturesque countryside with eyesore turbines. A report was passed by Fife Council’s executive committee last week endorsing designations for the Kingdom such as “areas of significant protection” and “areas with limited capacity”. However, a major chunk of West Fife is classed as an area “with highest potential capacity”. The site . . . Complete story »
Legislature’s use of Renewable Energy Fund called ‘bait and switch’
The state Legislature grabbed more than $17 million from the state’s Renewable Energy Fund to balance the budget and bail out the financially troubled Tri-County Community Action program in the North Country – a move that has renewable-energy advocates and ratepayer groups crying foul. The budget approved by the House and Senate last week and signed by the governor on Friday takes $16.1 million for the general fund and an additional $1.25 million for the community action program. That leaves . . . Complete story »
