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Wind Power News: February 2014
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.
30 percent renewable energy requirement by 2030 proposed
Thirty percent of the electricity used in Wisconsin would have to come from renewable sources by 2030 under terms of a bill, called the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Act, being introduced in the Legislature. Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, and Reps. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, and Cory Mason, D-Racine, are introducing the proposal, saying it would reduce the state’s dependence on out-of-state fuel and would create jobs. Miller said he does not expect the bill to pass during the current legislative session. . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines change the weather, so they may make hurricanes weaker
The model suggests that offshore wind farms could be an alternative protective measure to seawalls, which do not generate energy. But does it make economic sense? They estimated that the costs and benefits of offshore wind farms as storm protection would be less than the net cost of generating electricity with fossil fuels - but they included fuzzy, unsubstantiated metrics like the health costs of climate change, whatever that means, and they assume mandates and subsidies will result in a miracle of capitalism and lead to very large wind farms, with tens of thousands of turbines - much, much larger than commercial wind farms today. Complete story »
Wind industry study: electricity prices skyrocketing in largest wind power states
A newly published paper by the American Wind Energy Association illustrates that electricity prices are rising more than four times the national average in nine of the 11 states with the most wind power consumption. In Texas, the only one of the 11 states with significantly declining electricity prices, deregulation rather than wind power is causing the decline in electricity prices. The findings are a huge blow to advocates of renewable power mandates and wind power subsidies. Playing Defense on . . . Complete story »
Edgar Bread – Wind farms and human health
This week the national Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released a report that looked at the health effects of wind farms. The take home conclusion, presented with the press release, was that there is no reliable or consistent evidence that wind farms directly cause adverse health effects in humans. This message was repeated in headlines such as ABC’s environmental reporter Jake Sturmer (No reliable link between wind farms and health problems, National Health and Medical Research Council says) and . . . Complete story »
Will Bow Lake wind farm interfere with Environment Canada?
Environment Canada has raised concerns that proposed wind towers on Bow Lake could severely block or contaminate Canada’s weather radar network. The concern was raised in a report dating back to December 2012 that raised concern that the Bow Lake Wind Farm could contaminate the radar data at the Montreal River weather radar station. In turn, that will impact forecasters at the Ontario Storm Predication Centre and the Aviation Forecast Centre, among others. Environment Canada concludes that the Bow Lake . . . Complete story »
Camp draft frames energy breaks as giveaways, rankling recipients
In releasing his long-awaited tax reform proposal that would cut most incentives for the energy industry, House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp was apparently eager to frame them as little more than wasteful giveaways to well-connected industries.Recipients of those deductions were quick to paint the Michigan Republican’s proposal as a dicey endeavor that risked halting the domestic energy renaissance and reversing long-standing policy goals.The oil industry and its defenders on Capitol Hill howled that the Ways and Means chairman’s . . . Complete story »
Sustainable Shetland wind farm warning
Campaigners opposing the Viking Energy wind farm have repeated their warning that Shetland faces being swamped by large wind turbines. Sustainable Shetland’s comments came in response to news that a group of 18 Shetland businesses are proposing a 150 to 200 megawatt wind farm on Yell and Unst. The Energy Isles announcement on Wednesday was immediately welcomed by the Viking Energy developers who said they could accommodate the extra capacity on the proposed 600 megawatt interconnector. Sustainable Shetland spokesman James . . . Complete story »
How do tax credits help the public?
In a letter to the Las Vegas Review Journal (February 23, 2014), John Feehery defends Wind Protection Tax Credits on the grounds that the wind power industry attracts investment, creates jobs, stimulates economic development and saves consumers money on their power bills. Let’s start with tax credits. They really are just tax breaks given to a specific sector or company. But government budgets depend on a total tax revenue figure. So giving one party a tax break means the lost . . . Complete story »
Holyrood approve Girvan windfarm after local rejection
A controversial Girvan windfarm, which was refused planning permission, has been given the go-ahead from the Scottish Government. Eight huge wind turbines will now be erected near the town by PNE Wind UK, despite council planners fearing the giant structures would ruin the rural landscape. The Scottish Government revealed it would back the Tralorg wind farm appeal last week – overturning South Ayrshire Council’s decision to ditch the plan. Gilbert Stevenson, of PNE Wind UK, said: “We are delighted that . . . Complete story »
Turbine appellant concerned about drinking water safety
A West Grey man is appealing to the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) to overturn approval for a wind turbine project near Priceville. Leonard Van Den Bosch of the former Glenelg Township has appealed the MOE decision to the Environmental Review Tribunal. In January, the ministry gave the go ahead to the 14-turbine East Durham Project, developed by NextEra Canada. Van Den Bosch, who was not available for comment, owns property in the direct vicinity of where the turbines are . . . Complete story »
