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Wind Power News: November 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.
Navitus Bay: EDF ‘concerned’ over damage to reputation by opposition to wind farm
The French energy giant behind the £3bn Navitus windfarm scheme is becoming increasingly concerned at the damage to its reputation by opposition to the proposal, it is believed. The chief executive officer of the French-owned EDF Energy, Vincent De Rivaz, and other senior figures in the company met with Bournemouth West MP, Conor Burns, at their request in the House of Commons. And Mr Burns says the company has been taken aback by the level and strength of opposition to . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine appeal to be heard in Smithville
As they said they would, an advocacy group has appealed the decision to allow a 77-turbine wind farm to be built in west Niagara, but they have no disillusions of their chances of winning. A preliminary hearing for a tribunal that could overturn the wind farm approval has now been scheduled for Dec. 19 at the Wellandport Community Centre. That building, on Canborough Rd. in Smithville, has become a key site in the wind turbine debate, with numerous public meetings . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine effects are not just imagined
In a Nov. 16 Opinion letter the author chalks up all reported health issues from industrial wind turbines to the “nocebo effect” which claims that individuals who are led to expect physical symptoms actually experience those symptoms whether or not the supposed cause of the symptoms is actually present. That claim needs examination. Is this pet theory of the wind industry the true explanation or a smokescreen to explain away the increasing din of health complaints worldwide? Consider this: Would . . . Complete story »
RE: ‘Wind energy faces a turbulent future,’ Nov. 26, A1
Whenever the Desert Sun Editorial Board writes one of their editorials about wind turbine controversies that they say don’t occur here, they usually refer to the Desert Wind Energy Association. The Desert Wind Energy Association has no Web presence, no address and no phone number. Do you think the Desert Sun editors are referring to Fred Noble? I do. He’s the San Gorgonio Pass wind turbine developer that we’re always reading about in Desert Sun editorials on the wonders of . . . Complete story »
$650 Million Deal; Elwood, Ind. Wind Farm SOLD
$6 Million in Local Property Tax Abatement Benefits; $650 Million Deal — The Madison County ALERT is first to report that E.ON Climate and Renewables has agreed to sell 80% of its ownership in the Elwood, Ind. wind farm to Enbridge, Inc., a Canadian energy delivery company. The Dusseldorf, Germany based E.ON is the world’s largest electric utility, generating over $165 billion in revenues last year. E.ON began acquiring land rights in northern Madison County, eastern Tipton County, and southern . . . Complete story »
Wind power a needless extra cost
U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows U.S. electricity prices rose less than 3 percent from 2008-2013. The states with the highest percentage of wind power generation have electricity price increases of more than 20 percent. Data from the top 10 wind power states show that from 2008-2013 electricity prices rose an average of 20.7 percent, which is seven-fold higher than the national average of merely 2.8 percent. Federal and state taxpayer subsidies to wind power producers hide the additional cost . . . Complete story »
Turbine blades give Ballindaggin couple hell
A couple living close to giant wind turbines in Ballindaggin have called for an enquiry into how Wexford County Council has treated them. Philip and Catherine Hickey’s home in the townland of Ballylusk is within a kilometre of one of the windmills in the foothills of the Blackstairs. They have repeatedly complained that the turning of the giant blades creates a noise which disturbs their lives. The couple do not enjoy being in their garden because of the constant disturbance . . . Complete story »
Kempton accuses Tableland Regional Council of wind farm ‘hostility’
The Tablelands Regional Council has been accused of being “openly hostile” towards a controversial wind farm project and trying everything to impede its progress. It comes as the Senate launches an inquiry into the effectiveness of wind turbines, scrutinising their regulatory governance and economic impact. The $380 million project to be built near Walkamin is to include up to 75 turbines. It is a joint venture by property developers Port Bajool and power producers Ratch Australia. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney . . . Complete story »
‘Critical flaws’ in wind farm planning
A community group fighting a wind farm application in the West Cork Gaeltacht has pointed to wider implications of ‘critical flaws’ found in a planning application for a wind farm that was granted planning by Cork County Council. The Derragh Wind Farm Group says their experience casts doubt on numerous other similar cases, not simply in Cork but nationwide and points out the potential implications of such ‘poor regulation’ for the Irish taxpayer. The decision by Cork County Council to . . . Complete story »
Pendleton plans windmill ordinance
PENDLETON – The town board wants rules for windmills and wind turbines. The board asked the Planniong Board to draw up an ordinance after the board was asked to consider whether to allow Mapleton Road resident Thomas Izard to erect a 100-foot tower with a wind turbine on top. Padma Kasthurirangan of Niagara Wind & Solar, the contractor on the project, told the board that the tower would have guy wires and would be topped by a three-pronged windmill with . . . Complete story »
