Wind Power News: August 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.
Renewable Choice Energy announces partnership with City of Boston
Renewable Choice Energy (http://www.renewablechoice.com) announced today that the City of Boston has purchased green power from the Boulder-based firm to help offset its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The City purchased 28,000 wind-generated renewable energy credits (RECs) from Renewable Choice for fiscal year 2013, 33% more than were purchased in the prior year. The RECs will be used to offset approximately 18% of the City’s electricity use. The purchase of green power is only one of the City’s progressive energy and . . . Complete story »
Vermont Yankee closing will push us closer to energy cliff
Entergy’s recent decision to decommission Vermont Yankee’s 620MW of nuclear electricity generation by the end of 2014 brings to light a growing problem for New England’s electricity grid – reliability. Since 2003, New England has increased its reliance on natural gas for electricity generation by 30 percent. The Vermont Yankee announcement means that New England ratepayers will be even more beholden to the fluctuations of the natural gas markets and the intermittency of when the wind blows. More fuel diversity for . . . Complete story »
Row over wind farm harrier study
Hen harriers are at the centre of a row over the methodology used by wind farm developers to estimate bird numbers. And it is a row that campaigners – objecting to plans by wind farm operator Infinis to erect 17 turbines at Windy Edge, close to the historic Hermitage Castle – say has major implications for the way all wind farm developers conduct mandatory bird studies. The controversy was sparked by a submission earlier this month to Scottish Borders Council’s . . . Complete story »
Campaigners map out the march of turbines
Wind farm protesters have literally mapped out what they see as the windpower threat to the South Hams. The campaigners have put together a map pinpointing every application or ‘scoping’ proposal for wind turbines over 20 metres high across the district. That amounts to 19 turbines stretching from Buckfastleigh to Chivelstone and from just outside Plymouth to Blackawton. Now the various campaign groups in the district are joining forces in their effort to half the turbine proposals they claim will . . . Complete story »
After settlement, Charlestown declared an aggrieved party in Whalerock case
CHARLESTOWN – Despite the fact that the Whalerock case was settled Thursday with the town’s purchase of the property on King’s Factory Road, a Superior Court judge filed a ruling Friday stating that the town of Charlestown is an aggrieved party in the case. In April, Washington County Superior Court Judge Kristin E. Rodgers issued a lengthy decision relating to the Whalerock proceedings ultimately remanding the case back to the Charlestown Zoning Board for a decision on Whalerock’s application to . . . Complete story »
Group calls for wind farm uproar
Opponents of a proposed wind farm that straddles Cavan-Monaghan Township and the City of Kawartha Lakes are urging area residents to attend a township council meeting Tuesday to register their opposition to the project. “Unless you are happy with the continued invasion of our area by industrial wind turbines, please save this information and take action,” states an email sent to residents by ManversWind Concern (MWC), a group opposed to wind farms in the area. Public meetings on other area . . . Complete story »
E.On hit roadblock on wind farm plans off Brighton and Hove coast
A world-leading energy firm has hit a string of roadblocks in drafting a planning application to build a wind farm off the coast of Brighton and Hove. E.On’s proposal to build the Rampion wind farm in the English Channel was picked apart by the country’s leading governing bodies on Wednesday and after the first day of a pre-application they had 33 changes to their plans. The company will need to change wording, definitions and clarification before the final application is . . . Complete story »
Council was right on land vote
The deed has been done. The Town of Charlestown has ended the saga of the Whalerock project by buying the 75 acres for which it was destined. The purchase of the land that borders King’s Factory Road and East Quail Run now eliminates the possibility that wind turbines will be built on the site. It was that fear and the resolve of residents that held up the plans of a developer to place wind turbines on the property and led . . . Complete story »
218 turbines up to 650ft: Navitus Bay announces next idea in £3bn plan
The team bidding to build a wind farm off the Dorset coast has announced the next step in its controversial £3bn plan. Navitus Bay Development Ltd (NBDL) has submitted a planning application for the wind park 12 miles off the Bournemouth coast. The scheme, a joint venture by Dutch company Eneco and French power firm EDF Energy, could include up to 218 turbines each towering at up to 650ft. Now the company is planning to hold a fourth round of . . . Complete story »
Lamont slams SBC windfarm funding slice
John Lamont MSP has attacked the Government after figures revealed that Scottish Borders Council was awarded under half the money it requested to help deal with windfarm applications. Last year the Scottish Government announced a fund in recognition of the significant increase in windfarm applications being dealt with by local authorities across Scotland as a result of their energy policies. Scottish Borders Council has been one of the worst affected by their drive to site more windfarms, and as such . . . Complete story »
