Wind Power News: July 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 farm approval fans anger
A contentious proposal to build one of Australia’s biggest wind farms near a Wheatbelt town has moved a significant step closer after getting the nod from a State planning watchdog. The Great Southern development assessment panel – which vets all major projects in the region – has given the green light to plans by Moonies Hill Energy to build a 150MW wind farm near Kojonup, south-east of Perth. The decision, which overturned the panel’s previous objection to the proposal, paves . . . Complete story »
Revealing results on wind
Last year, I was one of 24 Berkshire and Franklin County residents randomly selected to attend a day-long symposium at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Organized by researchers from Macalester College and led by staff from the Consensus Building Institute in Cambridge, the event was held to measure public opinion in the hilltowns of western Massachusetts on the question of industrial-scale wind energy. Applicants were solicited by advertisement and from a pool of 75 the team chose a sample that . . . Complete story »
No wind farm veto in new planning policy guide
The Government’s latest planning policy has failed to deliver a raft of promised powers to help communities block unacceptable wind and solar farms, campaigners say. The Conservatives last month indicated they would hand local people the power to veto schemes, forcing renewable energy companies to win over locals before permission could be granted. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles had told local communities they would be given “a greater say” on where wind farms are built, but instead the guidance from . . . Complete story »
Adams planning commission delays wind farm decision
HETTINGER, N.D. – The Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission Monday tabled a decision on an application for a 75-tower wind farm in Duck Creek Township – a rural home and farm area. The panel will consult with its attorney about legal issues raised and whether Thunder Spirit Wind’s application complies with the county’s land use plan. Adams County State’s Attorney Aaron Roseland was unable to attend the meeting. Nearly 50 people crowded the Adams County Courthouse on Monday. Thunder Spirit . . . Complete story »
Wellington wind farm polarises town
Wellington’s financial vulnerability was a hot top of discussion at the Bodangora wind turbine Planning Assessment Commission on Monday evening in Wellington. More than 200 people attended the commission to witness 47 residents and local stakeholders discuss the good and the bad of the potential wind farms. Former shire president and former mayor Campbell Gregory voiced his concern about Wellington’s financial wellbeing, discussing the funds that could go back into the town if the project was to be approved. “Wellington’s . . . Complete story »
Fairhaven Board of Health allows turbines back on overnight
FAIRHAVEN – After a month of discussion, some of it behind closed doors, the Board of Health voted Tuesday night to resume overnight operation of the town’s two wind turbines – with a few exceptions. The 2-1 vote accepted a proposal by turbine developer Fairhaven Wind LLC that would maintain round-the-clock operation of the turbines except in wind conditions when the state’s Department of Environmental Protection found the turbines to exceed state noise regulations. Neither Board of Health Chairman Peter DeTerra nor . . . Complete story »
New government guidance on wind farms is labelled a ‘huge disappointment’ by East Lindsey District Council
New government planning guidance on wind farms which it was hoped would give fresh powers to local communities to fight developments has been labelled a ‘huge disappointment’. In June East Lindsey District Council’s portfolio holder for economic cevelopment, Coun Craig Leyland, wrote to the Government seeking clarity on statements it had made regarding planning guidance it was to introduce. The Government claimed the soon-to-be published guidance would give greater power to communities to block wind farm developments. ELDC called for . . . Complete story »
Vale of Glamorgan residents unite to fight off renewable energy proposals
A residents’ action group has pledged to fight the latest plans for a wind turbine in the Vale of Glamorgan countryside amid concerns that the area is being targeted by renewable energy companies. Plans by Buckinghamshire-based g2 Energy Renewal Developments Ltd involves building a 77-metre high wind turbine with a blade span of 54 metres on land at St Mary Hill, in the Vale countryside. It has sparked an opposition campaign by Llangan Action whose members say it would ruin . . . Complete story »
Catanzaro, Operazione “Wind farm”: sottoposto nuovamente a sequestro il parco eolico di Isola Capo Rizzuto (KR)
[Catanzaro “Operation Wind Farm”: Isola Capo Rizzuto facility newly subject to seizure] Nella giornata odierna i finanzieri del g.i.c.o. del nucleo di polizia tributaria di catanzaro, in esecuzione delle ordinanze emesse dal tribunale di catanzaro, seconda sezione penale, hanno nuovamente sottoposto al vincolo del sequestro il parco eolico wind farm icr di isola capo rizzuto, ritenuto uno dei più grandi d’europa, oltre a tre società (vent1 capo rizzuto s.r.l., purena s.r.l. e veda s.n.c. di fabiola ventura) già sottoposte a . . . Complete story »
C. Davis Fogg: Narragansett will reject Deepwater cable
I do not think that the Narragansett Town Council will permit Deepwater Wind to funnel electricity from its Block Island wind farm through Narragansett. Deepwater Wind, owned by a $30 billon investment firm, intends to build a wind-farm pilot project near Block Island to serve the island’s needs and transmit the remaining 90 percent of electricity generated into National Grid’s Northeastern grid. It has proposed running an underwater cable from the wind farm under Narragansett beach and across Sprague Park . . . Complete story »
