Wind Power News: May 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.
Anger at plans for more wind turbines
A controversial wind farm could be extended if new plans are approved. Developer Energie-Kontor is proposing to add an extra four 120-metre high turbines at the Hyndburn Wind Farm on Oswaldtwistle Moor, taking the total to 16. But the idea has met with opposition from local residents and councillors. The wind farm, off Haslingden Road, generated enough electricity to power more than 24,400 homes between March last year and February, Energie-Kontor said. Project manager Sam Dewar said several local contractors . . . Complete story »
Gesetzentwurf eingereicht: Weg frei für Windradbremse
Ungeachtet der andauernden Proteste von Umweltschützern und Ökostrom-Branche hat die Staatsregierung die geplante Windradbremse in Bayern beschlossen. Der Gesetzentwurf geht nun zur Beratung und Verabschiedung an den Landtag, sagte am Dienstag Staatskanzleichefin Christine Haderthauer. Grundsätzlich soll der Abstand eines Windrads zum nächsten Wohnhaus das Zehnfache der Bauhöhe betragen – ein 100 Meter hohes Windrad müsste also 1000 Meter vom nächsten Wohnhaus entfernt sein. Das letzte Wort haben allerdings die Gemeinden. “Im Bebauungsplan können die Gemeinden niedrigere Abstände beschließen”, sagte Haderthauer. . . . Complete story »
Theft of wind farm signs ‘undemocratic’ say reVOLT
Residents and campaigners are shocked after signs indicating the location of a proposed wind farm have been stolen in a series of raids across the Loveden area. Campaign group reVOLT and its supporters raised money to print banners showing where the intended industrial scale wind farm at Temple Hill is located, but now eight signs have gone missing from five different locations. Concern has been raised not only by the thefts but by the trespass, with signs being taken from . . . Complete story »
Britain’s biggest windfarm inquiry in Powys ends
Britain’s biggest ever public inquiry into wind farms comes to an end today after a planning inspector completes his closing statement. A hotel in Welshpool has hosted the arguments for and against wind energy since 4 June last year. An alliance of about 20 organisations oppose plans by six energy developers for northern Powys. The council has earmarked £2.8m to fund the inquiry which has been overseen by planning inspector Andrew Poulter. Developments are proposed at Llaithddu, Llandinam, Llanbrynmair, Llanbadarn . . . Complete story »
Legislation would pose challenges for Hardin, Logan wind farm
Land and homeowners in the Scioto Ridge boundaries have applauded the proposed setback amendment and pausing the alternative energy target. “Wind developers are private for-profit businesses that should be required to negotiate easements and compensate neighboring properties for intrusion. Homeowners have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home,” said Kevon Martis, executive director of Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition on behalf of the residents of northwest Ohio. Tom Stacy, a spokesman with Save Western Ohio, one of the groups opposed to the wind farms, said not addressing the mandate will mean electricity rates in Ohio will continue to escalate unnecessarily. “The subsidy, market, technical and indirect cost implications of wind electricity are enormous, and driving rates up unnecessarily will cost the state billions, in addition to the possibility of losing tens of thousands of jobs in energy-intensive industries,” Stacy said. Complete story »
Veto undermines state’s commitment to Pax River
With Gov. Martin O’Malley’s veto of legislation that would have blocked wind turbines on the Eastern Shore, Southern Marylanders out to protect Patuxent River Naval Air Station lost a fight they earlier thought they had won. When the state legislature overwhelmingly passed the bill in April at the unanimous urging of Southern Maryland lawmakers, it was really intended to do two things. One was to delay, and ultimately kill, the plan for 25 wind turbines in Somerset County that will . . . Complete story »
Plympton-Wyoming council not giving up
Suncor Energy says it welcomes a recent decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the company’s challenge of Plympton-Wyoming bylaws aimed at wind energy projects. Suncor is still waiting for provincial environmental approval for the 46-turbine Cedar Point wind project it plans to build in Plympton-Wyoming, Lambton Shores and Warwick Township. The company took Plympton-Wyoming to court over several bylaws the municipality passed aimed at wind turbine projects. They call for wind turbines to be built at least . . . Complete story »
Commissioners concerned with chickens on energy project
The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission received an update on progress of the Buckeye wind energy project north of Interstate 70 between Hays and Ellis during Wednesday’s meeting at 601 Main. The report said, in part, wildlife monitoring was being conducted, and power marketing efforts have yielded a wide variety of interests. One commissioner wondered if recent developments involving the lesser prairie chicken could be slowing work on the project. “That is what is taking so long,” said Karen Purvis . . . Complete story »
DTE to repair 14 turbines; Work set to begin in June; 19 other blades get OK
CHANDLER TOWNSHIP – Starting June 8 and continuing over the next two months, 14 turbines will be repaired at DTE Energy’s Echo Wind Park. Initially, 33 turbines were slated for replacement at the wind park, which was shut down in November because of a broken wind turbine blade in Chandler Township. The company that provides the blades – General Electric, the country’s largest manufacturer of wind turbine parts – said the cause of the failure was a manufacturing anomaly. Quality reports reviewed by . . . Complete story »
Mid Wales council criticises wind energy policy
A renewable energy policy which led to a series of windfarm applications in Mid Wales has been described as a “farce” by council bosses. The criticism was made yesterday as campaigners made their last pleas to a planning inspector to reject windfarm plans. The year-long inquiry, the longest of its kind in Wales, is reaching its final stages and Inspector Andrew Poulter is expected to end it at the Royal Oak Hotel in Welshpool tomorrow. Objectors and supporters are giving . . . Complete story »
