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Wind Power News: September 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.
Connecticut lawmakers continue ban on wind energy projects
The ban on new wind turbines in Connecticut will continue, after a legislative panel again rejected proposed regulations for large-scale wind energy projects. Lawmakers on the Regulations Review Committee on Tuesday rejected the most recent proposal from the Connecticut Siting Council, saying the regulations fail to address town officials’ concerns and would make it too easy for developers to get around the regulations with waivers. Without regulations to govern wind projects, the 2011 ban on turbines will continue for at . . . Complete story »
Credits to spur renewable energy sources seen set to end: taxes
Tax credits for the production of wind power and other renewable energy sources face expiration at year’s end amid few signs Congress will decide to continue them, tax lobbyists and other analysts say. Failure to extend the 16 tax credits could stymie the development of wind power and the other renewables by undercutting incentives to invest in them, Bloomberg BNA reported. Neither of the tax-writing committees in the House and Senate have yet to mark up a legislative package to . . . Complete story »
Are wildlife concerns limiting wind energy in Nebraska?
Lincoln, NE – Hard hats are required at the base of one of Lincoln Electric System’s wind turbines north of town. Bruce Barnhouse supervises the Rokeby Generation Station. These two turbines can generate 1.3 megawatts of power. LES gets a little more than 3 percent of its total energy from wind—mostly from other facilities across the state. Barnhouse said they’re limited by their location in Lancaster County. “There’s better locations around the state where you get better capacity.” Like central Nebraska. . . . Complete story »
Prime Minister signals end to funding for onshore wind turbines
David Cameron has indicated subsidies for turbines will be axed, potentially halting the march of wind farms in the Westcountry. The Prime Minister, who was previously anxious to burnish his green credentials, told the Sunday Telegraph he did not want to keep the hand-outs – paid for through energy bills – for “a second longer than they’re necessary”. In an interview on the eve of the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, he appeared to be responding to Ed Miliband’s promise . . . Complete story »
Wind farm seeks tax break in Cameron County
Negotiations could begin soon to lure the county’s first wind farm to set up shop between Bayview and Laguna Vista, now that the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court has agreed to consider a county tax abatement for the company seeking to develop the property. The Commissioners’ Court heard a presentation during its Sept. 26 meeting from Sergio Treviño, development manager at Pioneer Green Energy, who explained the preliminary scope of the plan while stressing that a competitive market means his company . . . Complete story »
MP opposes windfarm off Dorset coast
South Dorset MP Richard Drax has said the Navitus Bay windfarm would ‘blight’ the Dorset coastline. Navitus Bay Wind Park development proposes to install up to 218 offshore wind turbines off in a stretch of sea from Purbeck to the Isle of Wight. Mr Drax attended the final round of public consultations and said it has ‘failed to reassure’ him about the project. He has written to the developers demanding a change of site and said the majority of people . . . Complete story »
Alex Salmond urged to protect the UK’s only ‘dark sky’ park from wind turbines
Alex Salmond has been urged by astronomers and wild land charities to protect the UK’s only “dark sky” park from the threat of wind farms. The Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park was officially opened last year by the First Minister. But the exceptionally dark skies that made it possible are now being threatened by a glut of applications from developers, according to the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, the John Muir Trust and the Scottish Wild Land Group. They have written . . . Complete story »
Hold your horses, Olveston wind farm campaigners warn council
Campaigners fighting plans to erect a pair of turbines near Olveston have warned that approving the wind farm before the local authority finalises its new tougher guidelines on energy-efficient developments would be nonsensical. No date has yet been set for South Gloucestershire Council to determine whether to back the controversial scheme, put forward REG Windpower, to build a large wind farm in Ingst. Activists who formed the Olveston Wind Farm Action Group when the plans were first proposed, have however . . . Complete story »
North council urged to heed wind farms guidance
Campaigners have called on a North council to “urgently” heed the latest national planning guidance on wind farms, and exercise its obligation to “conserve our historic and unique environment” Campaigners have called on a North council to “urgently” heed the latest national planning guidance on wind farms, and exercise its obligation to “conserve our historic and unique environment.” The Northumberland and Newcastle Society, which campaigns to protect the region’s environment, has issued the plea to Northumberland County Council amid alarm . . . Complete story »
Fears over turbine bid impact on birds
Fears over wildlife, noise and visual impact were raised by residents at an exhibition of proposals for a wind farm in Over Wyre. RWE npower renewables wants to install up to seven wind turbines, each 125 metres high, on land at Cuckoo Wood, near St Michael’s. The company says the scheme could produce enough electricity to power 8,300 homes a year. But some residents are concerned about the impact of the proposals on the surrounding countryside, and told of their . . . Complete story »
