| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Wind Power News: April 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.
Coos County: wind park road plan goes to pre-hearing
As the fight heats up over the proposed road widening in the Coos wind park, a pre-hearing conference has been scheduled in Lancaster to clarify the issues and discuss possible terms of a settlement. The proceeding by the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the northern region office of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. It comes less than two months after Brookfield Renewable Power, majority owner of the 33-turbine . . . Complete story »
State officials: Deny mountain wind project
State officials are recommending the Board of Environmental Protection to deny a proposal to build a $100 million, 16-turbine wind energy facility on a Penobscot County mountain. The Bangor Daily News reported the BEP is expected to decide on First Wind’s project at 9 a.m. Thursday. A 12-page memo released this month from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has recommended a denial of the project, saying it will have an adverse and widespread impact on the area’s scenic qualities. . . . Complete story »
Eminent domain proceedings underway in Crisfield
CRISFIELD, Md.-The owners of a property near the Crisfield Wasterwater Treatment Plant could soon lose their land to the city. City Attorney Michael Sullivan said eminent domain proceedings—the right of government or its agent to take private property for public use— are underway. The city needs the property for its wind turbine project. Crisfield residents Weldon and Felda Massey own the vacant concrete apartment building that is footsteps away from the plant. Massey told WBOC that they are against the . . . Complete story »
Crisfield begins eminent domain proceedings
CRISFIELD – City officials have begun eminent domain proceedings to take over property that sits in the middle of a planned wind turbine project at the sewage treatment plant. Crisfield City Council members approved the measure because acquisition of the land on Seventh Street is necessary for the operation of the turbine, said city attorney Michael Sullivan. Sullivan and other city officials said they could not comment on why they resorted to using eminent domain – the right of government to take . . . Complete story »
Kingston turbine sound study suspended
KINGSTON – The Independence wind turbine acoustical study has been halted and will likely be delayed until the fall. Board of Health Chairman Joe Casna said the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center plans to suspend sampling until the fall and has asked the board if there are any objections. Douglas Fine, DEP’s assistant commissioner for planning and evaluation, informed Casna of this plan. Casna said the full board has yet to weigh in, but he has no objections because the decision . . . Complete story »
Judge skeptical of Cape Wind challenges
BOSTON – Plaintiffs in the latest Cape Wind-related lawsuit to find its way into a federal courtroom faced an uphill battle Tuesday. “Having read the briefs carefully I start and almost end with the 11th Amendment,” U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns said at a hearing on a motion to dismiss the challenge of a state-approved contract between the offshore wind energy developer and NStar. Stearns said he doubted the plaintiffs – which include several Cape Cod businesses, individuals, the Alliance to Protect . . . Complete story »
Chapmanslade residents in protest over wind turbine plan
Protesters turned out in force to show their opposition to a proposed single wind turbine at Thoulstone Farm in Chapmanslade, at a consultation event held by developers on Monday. The wind turbine, which was put on display at a drop-in information event at St Phillip and St James’ Church, is being proposed by Seren Energy and will be 87 metres high with blades 53 metres in diameter. Seren Energy says the scheme is being developed with the Welch family at . . . Complete story »
Kilncadzow windfarm fight begins again
Plans for another new windfarm in a highly-sensitive part of the Clydesdale countryside have been scaled down, even before a formal planning application has been lodged. The developers of the proposed Hill Rig Windfarm have reduced from nine to eight turbines they hope to erect in farmland near Kilncadzow. This is near the scene of a major battle last year when a campaign by local residents repelled a scheme to build just two 400 foot-high turbines between Kilncadzow and neighbouring . . . Complete story »
‘Skyline is dominated by turbines’
A campaign group has aired their grievances over an influx of wind turbines they claim are starting to “dominate the skyline” of the Gwendraeth Valley. It comes as plans for two 44.5 metre structures at Mynydd Sylen were given the go ahead last week. And now, members of the Five Roads Residents Against Wind Turbines group are campaigning against the introduction of fresh plans in Cynheidre. Haydn Jones, one of the speakers who addressed the planning committee, said: “In 2013 . . . Complete story »
Prestonpans fight over substation at historic site
Almost 270 years after Bonnie Prince Charlie’s victory, a new battle is brewing on the historic site at Prestonpans – fighting off plans for an energy substation. The Battle of Prestonpans 1745 Heritage Trust is raising troops against what it calls “astonishing” plans by two renewable energy companies to build on the sacred ground. The developers want to site a substation in Prestonpans to take energy ashore from the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm which is to be built 15-22km . . . Complete story »
