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Wind Power News: December 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.
Opponents step in to test Iberdrola on wind power project in Maine
Three groups have asked to challenge Central Maine Power Co. parent Iberdrola’s plan to build a wind farm in Somerset County, but not with the usual arguments against wind power. The parties lining up in the case are the same who challenged a joint venture by Emera and Massachusetts-based wind developer First Wind. They argue such affiliations violate state law preventing companies distributing power, like CMP, from owning power generation assets. Atlantic Wind, indirectly owned by Iberdrola, asked regulators in . . . Complete story »
Skyscraper turbines set to be thrown out on Anglesey after planning concerns
Proposals for new skyscraper wind turbines on Anglesey are set to be rejected amid claims the holiday isle has reached “saturation point” with farmers using their land for green energy schemes. Airvolution Energy Limited want to build two 92.5m high 4.6 megawatt turbines and West Coast Energy want to add three 81m 800-900 kilowatt turbines. Critics fear they would dominate the Anglesey skyline and damage tourism. The Airvolution turbines would stand higher than Cardiff’s second tallest building – the 90m-high . . . Complete story »
Dorset County Council stands firm on Navitus Bay wind farm plans
Dorset County Council is continuing to oppose the Navitus Bay wind farm plans despite an offer to reduce the number of turbines from 194 to 85. A report put before cabinet at a meeting at County Hall in Dorchester originally recommended councillors endorse the officer’s view that the ‘mitigation option’ is admissible in planning terms. But ward councillors Bill Trite and Margaret Phipps urged the cabinet not to accept the offer. Cllr Phipps, who represents the Commons ward on Dorset . . . Complete story »
Ribble Valley MP speaks out on wind turbines ‘blot’
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has slammed the decision to allow three “hideous” wind turbines to be sited in a “beautiful” village in the rural borough. Mr Evans spoke in the House of Commons on the “imposition” of wind turbines on communities despite local opposition. Speaking in the debate, he said: “Langho, one of my pleasant villages in beautiful Ribble Valley, has recently had three hideous wind turbines imposed on it by appeal, against the wishes of local people, the . . . Complete story »
A long, strange trip indeed: Looking back at the top 10 wind energy stories of 2014
From the freezing of Ohio’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to the uncertainty on Capitol Hill, 2014 was packed with plenty of drama and intrigue. Here are NAW’s picks for the top 10 wind energy stories of the year: 10. DOE Stuns With Offshore Wind Selection. In a highly anticipated announcement at WINDPOWER 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected Dominion Virginia Power, Principle Power and Fishermen’s Energy as the winning recipients for $46.7 million of funding in the agency’s . . . Complete story »
South Canoe may get break on delay
A Lunenburg County wind farm may get a reprieve from having to pay penalties for being three months behind schedule. The $200-million South Canoe project, under construction near New Ross, was slated to be producing power by Thursday. But the 34-turbine venture is now expected to be fully operational by April. A Nova Scotia Power spokeswoman said Tuesday the wind farm’s lead partners gave notice under a contract clause covering uncontrollable events that the project couldn’t meet the Jan. 1 . . . Complete story »
Council refuses Redford wind turbines plan
A proposed wind development in south Angus has been refused due to an “unacceptable” impact on the surrounding landscape. Crofts Farm Renewables had applied to install two turbines of almost 80 metres in height near Redford. The scheme was to generate 1.6MW in total and developers planned to include an access track and electrical building. But planners refused the application, as the height of the proposed turbines would have “an unacceptable landscape impact”. It was felt the scale of the . . . Complete story »
£63k- how much Bournemouth council has spent fighting Navitus Bay plans
Bournemouth council has spent more than £63,000 fighting the Navitus Bay wind farm plans, it has been revealed. A Freedom of Information request found that Bournemouth council had spent far more than the Borough of Poole, which has invested nothing but officer time, and Dorset County Council, which spent £15,000 appraising visuals. The Navitus Bay wind farm is opposed by Bournemouth and Dorset councils and by the Conservative group in Poole. Bournemouth council has been particularly concerned about the ‘negative . . . Complete story »
Grampound declares “enough is enough” over wind turbines
Proposals for more wind turbines in a conservation area have prompted worried neighbours to declare “enough is enough”. Residents have formed the Conservation Grampound action group, claiming the village has “done its bit” for renewable energy with two 110-metre turbines. Wind power firm Airvolution installed the turbines on private Garlenick estate land in October, and in return the village will receive £15,000 to fund community projects for each year of their projected 25-year lifespan. This year an extra £50,000 went . . . Complete story »
Denholme wind turbine plan rejected due to potential impact on green belt
Plans for a 57-metre-high wind turbine in Denholme, which were criticised by two MPs, have been refused by Bradford Council. Omega Proteins had submitted the application for the turbine at its Erlings Works site off Half Acre Road. It said the turbine could create enough electricity to power up to 270 homes. But MP Philip Davies, whose Shipley constituency includes Denholme, and Bradford West MP George Galloway (Respect) had written to the council to object to the application, along with . . . Complete story »
