Wind Power News: November 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.
Of bats and birds and the wind turbine in Lewes
It’s a pretty big story across the land. Wind turbines and birds and what happens when they meet. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the first-ever criminal conviction under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for unlawful avian takings at wind projects. Duke Energy Renewables of Charlotte, N.C., pleaded guilty to violating the act in connection with the deaths of 163 protected birds over the course of the last four years. Of the dead birds found among the . . . Complete story »
Wind energy critic’s forum draws crowd
NEWPORT – With a proposal to build a wind and solar energy facility near this town before the state, a retired physicist from Emerald Isle is cautioning people he believes wind energy isn’t a good source of electric power. John Droz Jr. held a public forum Tuesday night at Fort Benjamin Park to share his findings and opinions on wind energy at the potential impact of Torch Renewable Energy LLC of Houston’s proposed wind and solar energy facility. More than 100 . . . Complete story »
No more wind turbines, county tells province
Wind farm developers should look elsewhere than Dufferin, according to a motion passed by county council. On Nov. 14, council approved a motion declaring Dufferin County as an unwilling host for any future industrial wind farm development. Although the Green Energy Act prohibits municipal councils from actually denying wind farms from setting up, Melancthon Mayor Bill Hill said the motion aims to dissuade such development. “It will send a message that Dufferin County is tired of the Green Energy Act,” . . . Complete story »
How will fine for wind turbines killing birds affect Nevada wind projects?
One can’t help but wonder how a recent $1 million in fines and penalties levied against Duke Energy Renewables for killing migratory birds with its wind turbines in Wyoming will affect wind projects in Nevada. In March, a golden eagle was found dead at the Spring Valley wind farm east of Ely, additionally the turbines there have killed a number of other birds and bats. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has taken no action yet against the wind farm’s owner Pattern . . . Complete story »
‘Onus on planners’ over turbine concerns – group
A local residents’ group opposed to two wind turbine applications have urged the Planning Service to resolve their outstanding concerns. The Carrick Windwatch group was formed in objection to two separate planning applications for the structures in the town. The proposals would see the construction of a 30 metre turbine tower close to New Line and a 65 metre structure at Trooperslane, both with rotor diameters of 30 metres. Members of the group travelled to Stormont on Monday to discuss . . . Complete story »
Despite court order, Falmouth turbines spin Thursday
FALMOUTH – Despite a Nov. 21 ruling that they be shut down on Thanksgiving, Wind I and Wind 2 were running briefly Thursday morning. The two town-owned turbines ran from 7 a.m. to 7:38 a.m. before being shut down, said Gerald Potamis, wastewater superintendent for the Falmouth Wastewater Department. Potamis is in charge of turning the turbines on and off manually when necessary. Around 7:15 a.m., Potamis received an email from Falmouth resident Day Mount, 73, who lives on Blacksmith Shop . . . Complete story »
Golden eagle death cited by wind turbine opponents
BOULEVARD, Calif. – A bizarre incident has led to the death of a golden eagle in the Boulevard area. The death was not caused by wind turbines, but some say it could be a game changer for the future of local wind projects. Sam Mckernan drove upon the scene along state Route 94 Wednesday afternoon. “It was just overwhelming. I was crying,” said Mckernan. A golden eagle was wedged in the rearview mirror of a semi-truck. Mckernan called her friend . . . Complete story »
Wind power is brought to justice
The Justice Department announced late last week that a subsidiary of Duke Energy has agreed to pay $1 million for killing golden eagles and other federally protected birds at two of the company’s wind projects in Wyoming. The guilty plea was a long-overdue victory for the rule of law and a sign that green energy might be going out of vogue. As Justice noted in its news release, this is the first time a case has been brought against a . . . Complete story »
Last ditch effort to oppose turbines
Even as the foundations are being poured, opponents to wind turbine projects in Wainfleet are continuing to fight. Last week the Wainfleet Ratepayers Association held an information session to raise awareness about the projects. The Wainfleet Wind Energy project has been given the green light and crews are beginning to prepare the sites where five turbines will be put up, while a Niagara Region Wind Corporation proposal would see a total of 77 built in West Lincoln, Haldimand and Wainfleet . . . Complete story »
Wind tax credit overlooked as Congress debates ACA
WASHINGTON – Time is running out for Congress to extend a tax credit the wind-energy industry says is vital to its future. The wind production tax credit, or PTC, is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, and it’s unclear if supporters will be able to get Congress to renew an incentive that costs the U.S. Treasury more than $10 billion a year. Lawmakers aren’t focused on tax issues but on other matters like the troubled rollout of the Affordable Care Act . . . Complete story »
