Wind Power News: May 2015
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.
Cape Wind Project: a tale of crony environmentalism (part 1)
It would make a great movie. The story begins in 2001, with an elaborate plot, filled with beautiful, wealthy, and powerful people. There are Indians, Kennedys, whales, drugs, sex and of course, lots of lawyers. In the end, the people of Massachusetts dodge a bullet, or at least we think so. Until we realize that the monster is still alive. Though wounded, our nemesis can still bring on the hurt. Meanwhile, we learn some shocking details we were never supposed . . . Complete story »
County may enhance wind regulations
Lancaster County is expected to adopt new wind farm regulations restrictive enough they may prevent future developments, and Gage County will likely follow suit. The County Board of Supervisors discussed regulations at its regular meeting this week. The proposed changes are the result of joint meetings with Lancaster County officials first held in March. County board member Matt Bauman said setback requirements will likely be changed for nonparticipating residences, those homes that are near a wind turbine but whose property . . . Complete story »
Robson: Good winds blowing
I applaud the Oklahoma Legislature and Gov. Mary Fallin for implementing much-needed reform of the wind industry, addressing both excessive subsidies and lack of regulation for protection of property owners. The progress made this year is important in establishing a regulatory framework. Yet there is still work to do. Senate Bill 808 by state Sen. Brian Bingman, R-Sapulpa, and Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville, signed by Fallin on April 17, established a 1.5-nautical-mile setback of wind turbines from schools, airports and . . . Complete story »
Orleans County Planning Board defends meeting’s windmill silence
ALBION – A month after sidelining comments by opponents of a major wind energy project, members of the Orleans County Planning Board defended their decision as one based on the narrow scope of the body’s role in planning and the project before them. Residents and groups concerned over Apex Clean Energy’s proposed Lighthouse Wind farm attended the board’s April meeting, the first to have a relation to the project. A special use permit for a meteorological tower on Lakeshore Road was . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind farm shot down again by New Jersey
New Jersey has taken the winds out these “fishermen’s” sails again. Fishermen’s Energy, a Cape May-based alternative energy developer, lost in its latest attempt for approval to build a wind farm off the coast New Jersey. The state courts have sided with the Board of Public Utility noting the board did not believe the benefits outweighed “the risks and costs of using an unproven technology to produce electricity,” according to the Press of Atlantic City. The state regulatory board has . . . Complete story »
‘We’re not done yet’ say wind turbine opponents
A group of mothers is not done fighting the onslaught of 77 wind turbines in their community despite a ruling against them by the Environmental Review Tribunal. The ERT dismissed the case against the Niagara Region Wind Corp. project brought forward by Mothers Against Turbines Inc. in a decision issued in May. “The Tribunal finds that the Appellant has not established that engaging in the Project in accordance with the REA will cause serious harm to human health,” ERT vice-chair . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine fight loses latest court battle
Four Huron County families have lost the latest court round in the battle against industrial wind turbines. The Court of Appeal for Ontario has denied leave to appeal for the Drennans, Dixons, Ryans and Kroeplins, in respect of their Charter Challenge to the current legislation for the approval of wind turbine projects. The four farm families had been seeking the opportunity to argue that the Environmental Protection Act provisions approving renewable energy projects exposes them to a reasonable prospect of . . . Complete story »
Scottish Government to have say on windfarm subsidy reforms
The Scottish Government will be consulted before any changes are made to plans to end the onshore windfarm subsidy regime. The announcement in the Queen’s speech earlier this week is a good result for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who demanded a veto during the general election campaign. It appears to be a partial climb down on the part of the Conservatives who vowed to take tough action to address public concerns about the number of turbines being erected across the . . . Complete story »
Bute wind turbines: online opinion is 60-40 against
The number of online public comments made on Bute Community Power’s planning application for two 47-metre wind turbines on the island has reached the two hundred mark. At the time this article was written the split was exactly 60-40 against the Auchintirrie farm proposals, with 120 of the published comments opposing the application and 80 supporting it. The official closing date for public comments on the application is Friday, June 5, although a spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council has . . . Complete story »
Utilities file complaint citing Midwest grid operator’s ‘massive, unlawful’ costs
Southern Co. and three Missouri utilities say the operator of the bulk power grid spanning much of the central United States is overcharging them by millions of dollars for electricity moved across Entergy’s Corp.’s transmission grid. In a formal complaint filed last week with federal regulators, Southern said it has paid $8 million more than it should to move power over Entergy’s system since December 2013 because of an unjustified cost shift imposed by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator. The . . . Complete story »
