Wind Power News: July 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.
Residents vow to fight as plan for more wind turbines near Tetney goes to appeal
Wind farm protesters are stepping up their campaign against any plans for further developments in the area as a plan for eight more goes to appeal. Melvin Grosvenor, chairman of the Marsh Windfarm Action Group (MWAG), said he would continue to “fight” what he feels is the proliferation of wind farms. According to the MWAG website, if all the proposed wind turbines are built in East Lindsey – together with existing farms – the grand total will stand at 192. . . . Complete story »
Gullen Range wind farm proposal referred to independent commission
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has referred the Gullen Range wind farm modification application to the independent Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) for determination, recommending that two turbines be relocated. Gullen Range Wind Farm lodged an application to retrospectively modify its project approval in April after a Department compliance investigation found a number of the wind farm’s turbines were built in unauthorised locations. The Department’s assessment of the modification proposal closely examined the potential visual and noise impacts on . . . Complete story »
Celtic Array Rhiannon wind farm off Anglesey scrapped
A massive wind farm planned for the Irish Sea has been scrapped. The Rhiannon wind farm, 12 miles (19km) north east of Anglesey, would have covered an area the size of the island. Celtic Array, a partnership of Centrica and Danish firm Dong Energy, said the Irish Sea was “economically unviable” with current technology due to “challenging ground conditions”. Up to 440 turbines would have produced enough power to meet the needs of around 1.7m homes. “We’re disappointed not to . . . Complete story »
Residents concerned about second wind turbine near Keighley Tarn
Residents fear that a second wind turbine could be built near a Keighley beauty spot. They believe the new turbine, twice as big as the first, will be visible from popular Keighley Tarn. They have enlisted the help of ward councillor Jan Smithies to find out more about the proposed second tower. A 24-metre turbine was recently built near Keighley Tarn after the landowner gained planning approval. Now a notice has gone up further along Tarn Lane stating that a . . . Complete story »
Judge slams Northumberland County Council over wind farm ‘technicality’
A council has come under fire from a high court judge over a “disgraceful” bid to derail a legal challenge which has cost taxpayers over £9,500. Northumberland County Council faced a third judicial review of its handling of a planning application for a wind turbine near Berwick from an objector to the proposal. The council said the review should not be allowed to proceed because a document submitted by the objector was a colour photocopy and not the original. The . . . Complete story »
Helensburgh wind farm application submitted
A wind farm will be built in the hills above Helensburgh – if developers are given the green light by council planners. Helensburgh Renewables submitted the long-anticipated planning application to Argyll and Bute Council last week for the five 800kW wind turbines – which will stand 86.5 metres high to the blade tip. The community wind farm plans also seek permission for the formation of new vehicular access, crane hardstandings, and the erection of substation and temporary works compound. The . . . Complete story »
Report links Cape Bridgewater wind turbines to noise, ‘sensation’ levels
The operator of the Cape Bridgewater wind farm and local residents angry about noise levels are hoping to strike a peace deal. A number of neighbours have reported sleep disturbance, health problems and noise issues since the wind farm came into operation in 2008. Both residents and Pacific Hydro have held regular meetings in the past 12 months with mediators. But Pacific Hydro has agreed to a key request from residents to allow acoustician Steven Cooper to investigate whether noise . . . Complete story »
Gefahr durch Windräder: Immer öfter werden große Vögel getötet
Diemelsee. Der Naturschutzbund Diemelsee beklagt mehr Schlagopfer von großen Greifvögeln an Windkraftanlagen. Jüngstes Opfer war ein Mäusebussard. „Immer häufiger werden uns Funde von Greifvögeln gemeldet, die mit den Windrädern kollidiert sind und dabei zu Tode kommen“, sagte Dr. Almut Finke-Hain, die Vorsitzende des NABU Diemelsee. Jüngstes Opfer war demnach ein Mäusebussard, der an einer Windkraftanlage auf der Vasbecker Hochfläche getötet wurde. „Es liegt uns daran darauf hinzuweisen, dass an den Windkraftanlagen nicht nur Rotmilane, sondern auch andere Großvogelarten zu Schaden . . . Complete story »
Vermont explores changes in threshold for noise from wind projects
SHEFFIELD – Steve Therrien has been a resident of Sheffield for 18 years. But since the Sheffield Wind project was built less than a mile from his home in 2011, he said the noise has pressured him to leave. “My quality of life has really gone to hell,” Therrien said. “There really is no quality of life.” He said the 16-turbine wind farm in Sheffield creates a range of noises – grinding, scratching, throbbing and vibrating – all of which he . . . Complete story »
Protesters speak out against wind turbines
MONTPELIER – A group of protesters who believe noise from industrial wind turbines is damaging to human health brought their message to the capital Tuesday. The group made their stance against wind projects in Vermont loud and clear with signs, songs and testimony from one family, the Therriens of Sheffield, about what it’s like to live near the towering turbines. Inside the Pavilion Building on State Street, in the auditorium, a workshop was held Tuesday by the Vermont Public Service Board, . . . Complete story »
