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Wind Power News: March 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.
Windfarm firm told to cut noise or face court
A controversial north-east windfarm has been served with an Asbo-style “noisy neighbour” notice. Operators of the triple-turbine development in rural Buchan have been warned they face prosecution unless they take action to address a thumping, “whoomph” noise that nearby residents say is driving them to distraction. The 260ft-high turbines were installed at West Knock Farm, near Stuartfield, by landowner Albert Howie, who was a local councillor at the time. The masts became operational in November 2011 and, since then, environmental . . . Complete story »
Bill may put wind-power projects in state at risk
Last month, a 5-year-old stood in front of a legislative committee and told them a heartwarming story about how she and her late father used to go hiking together on Shinbone Ridge in northeastern Alabama. She told the story to demonstrate her opposition to a wind turbine farm planned on private property near the park where she used to hike. A bill going through the Alabama Legislature that would regulate wind power might put an end to two wind turbine . . . Complete story »
Hueso asks FAA to grant relief to Ocotillo residents from wind turbine lights, approve radar-activated lighting
State Senator Ben Hueso has taken heed of his constituents’ complaints about flashing red lights on wind turbines shining into people’s homes at night. In a February 10, 2014 letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Hueso wrote that flashing red lights on over 100 turbines, each taller than a 40 story building, are harmful to the health of Ocotillo residents. “As most of them live within two miles of these turbines, the steady light transmitted from these structures is . . . Complete story »
Calls to scale back windfarms
Scotland is braced for a windfarm explosion with government officials confessing even they have no idea how many turbines now exist in the countryside. New figures show there could be a 10-fold rise in the number of sites over the next few years as councils struggle to cope under a mountain of planning applications. There are more than 210 windfarms already operational across Scotland, with at least 2,440 turbines between them. But data obtained under Freedom of Information show 1,898 . . . Complete story »
Wind developers annoyed by NSW government policy change
Wind developers say they weren’t consulted by the NSW Government before it announced plans to give people more opportunities to appeal against wind farm projects across the state. The government has restored community appeal rights for nine wind projects currently in development across the state’s southern tablelands, central region and south-east. The projects will now be considered as state significant developments, instead of being dealt with under the part 3A transitional provisions left over from the former Labor government. Senior . . . Complete story »
Massachusetts company proposes Plattsburgh-Burlington electricity transmission line
Developers are lining up to bring renewable power to southern New England as part of a regional initiative that guarantees a ratepayer-backed return on investment. In response to a six-state strategy to bring more clean power to the region, a Massachusetts transmission company said it wants to bury a transmission line under Lake Champlain to connect industrial wind power in New York to a Burlington substation. “It’s a unique moment in time,” said Edward Krapels, CEO for Anbaric Transmission, which . . . Complete story »
Company releases environmental impact statement for substantial windfarm near Oberon
Oberon Council in the will be closely examining the environmental impact statement for the proposed windfarm at Paling Yards near Oberon in the New South Wales Central West. The windfarm will cost more than $280 million to build and will feature 55 wind turbines that will be 175 metres tall. The project’s environmental impact statement has been released for public comment and it says the windfarm’s noise and visual impact will be minimal. Oberon Mayor John McMahon says council will . . . Complete story »
German regions resist green energy reforms
Regional politicians in Germany threatened on Sunday to block the government’s long-awaited planned reform of its subsidies for renewable energy, piling pressure on Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel as he finalises a draft law. The reform, closely watched by power markets, is due to go to cabinet on April 8 and Chancellor Angela Merkel meets the premiers of Germany’s 16 federal states on Tuesday to try win their backing. Germany’s shift to green energy and away from nuclear power and fossil . . . Complete story »
Windfarms Special Investigation: Turbines numbers could rise 10-fold
Scotland is braced for a wind farm explosion over the next few years with councils struggling to cope with a mountain of planning applications. The Sunday Post has learned the number of turbines could rise 10-fold as energy giants, farmers and landowners swamp local authorities with proposals. More than 210 wind farms are already operational across Scotland, with at least 2,440 turbines between them. But figures obtained under freedom of information show a staggering 1,898 applications have either been granted . . . Complete story »
Peru still waiting for transparency
An Eagle story on Feb. 24 regarding the proposed industrial wind turbine project for Peru disclosed the involuntary dissolution of Lightship Energy LLC, the company requesting a special permit with waivers and variances. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) member Samuel P. Haupt was quoted that the process would go forward “as transparent as possible.” I’m sitting here, scratching my head, and trying to figure out exactly when any transparency occurred since I learned about the project last summer. On July . . . Complete story »
