Wind Power News: June 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.
Court backs finding of wind turbine noise problem
Michigan’s 51st Circuit Court has ruled that Mason County was justified in determining that wind turbines at the Lake Winds Industrial Wind Plant near Ludington are too noisy. In his June 16 decision, Judge Richard Cooper denied Consumer Energy’s appeal to have the court overturn the county’s finding that the wind plant was exceeding the county’s established decibel level limits. In a highly technical explanation, Judge Cooper said it was reasonable for the county to take into account the impact . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine controversy continues
SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY – Since the beginning, Garden residents have been divided over wind turbines, and their placement on resident’s property. In hopes of avoiding this, Schoolcraft County board members passed an ordinance requiring wind turbines to be built over 3,000 feet from a residence’s property line. Although there are no wind turbines in Schoolcraft County at this time, Heritage Wind Energy said they are possibly interested in developing this territory. The county residents are already divided on this issue. “People don’t . . . Complete story »
Developers pull out of Killington wind turbine plan
Plans for a new three-turbine wind farm close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park have been withdrawn by the developers behind the scheme. Banks Renewables’ planning application for the 132 metre-high turbines near Killington was approved by South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee in January this year by a majority of seven votes to three. But SLDC’s decision was ‘called in’ for determination by the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government before the planning permission could be issued, . . . Complete story »
German lawmakers vote to reduce renewable-energy subsidies
German lawmakers backed an extensive revision of the country’s EEG clean-energy law to curb subsidies and slow gains in power prices that are the second-costliest in the European Union. The legislation, which introduces limits on how much onshore wind and biomass capacity qualifies for the full subsidies and lowers existing targets for solar and offshore wind, pulls energy policy “out of the quicksand,” Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters after the vote in the lower house. “We have to expand . . . Complete story »
National Trust wants proposed wind park further from Dorset Coast
The National Trust has announced its opposition to the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Park because of its impact on the sensitive coastlines of East Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Ian Wilson, the National Trust Assistant Director of Operations said they had made clear to Navitus Bay Development Ltd that the Trust was opposed to the scheme and that much more could be done to mitigate the impacts if the development were to obtain consent. ‘We are committed to renewable . . . Complete story »
Judge throws out appeal for controversial Huntspill wind farm plans
Controversial proposals for a wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea were dealt a further blow by a High Court judge on Friday (June 27th), delighting campaigners fighting the scheme. Green energy firm Ecotricity wanted to install four wind turbines at West Huntspill, but its scheme was turned down by Sedgemoor District Council and the company appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which held an inquiry last year. The inspector concluded that the turbines should be put up, but Secretary of State Eric Pickles . . . Complete story »
Direct action to benefit from Clean Energy Finance Corporation funds
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation is likely to be directed away from lending to wind farms in favour of programs that support the Coalition’s “direct action” plan such as energy-efficiency schemes and leasing for solar hot water systems. In the wake of Clive Palmer’s declaration this week that his senators will vote to retain the CEFC, it has emerged that Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann have the power to alter the CEFC’s investment mandate without parliament being able . . . Complete story »
Alexander says gas holdings won’t color energy policy
A year ago, just as he was beginning his bid for a third term, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander stood before an audience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to deliver the keynote address at a summit called “Securing America’s Future.” A “big part” of the answer, the Republican senator said, would be natural gas. “The United States … has pursued a different track, the most conspicuous example of which is finding gas and oil by unconventional means,” he said. “This has . . . Complete story »
Court halts wind farm
Sweden’s Land and Environmental Court of Appeal rejected on Wednesday a proposed wind farm off the coast of Falkenberg after it was determined the project could threaten the livelihoods of fish and porpoises. Swedish Radio’s local channel in Halland said the wind farm could scare away cod from their spawning grounds and hurt the mating of porpoises. It also cast doubt on whether the revenue from the wind power generated would exceed the project’s costs. Jan-Åke Jacobson, chief executive officer . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine undergoes repairs
MORRIS – For almost a decade, the West Central Research and Outreach Center’s wind turbine has been a fixture sitting on the horizon outside of Morris. The tower serves as a landmark for visitors to Morris and the WCROC. But for several weeks this spring, the turbine was noticeably still – the result of some worn parts inside the structures generator equipment. Last week, service technicians with Vestas, the turbine manufacturer and service provider, arrived in Morris to replace the . . . Complete story »
