Wind Power News: June 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.
Duke Energy: looking for payback
In early June the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2016 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill—with a sneak attack on birds attached. The bill included an amendment prohibiting the use of Department of Justice funds to prosecute or hold liable any person or corporation for a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If it becomes law, anyone could kill birds with impunity, with no risk of jail time or even fines. It would decimate . . . Complete story »
Rooley Moor Wind Farm application refused
The application for a twelve-turbine wind farm on Rooley Moor has been refused by Rochdale Council. Councillors sitting on the Planning and Licensing Committee unanimously voted against the plans at a meeting on Thursday (25 June). During the meeting, a representative for Coronation Power addressed the committee and described the reasons for refusal as “weak” and stated: “Rooley Moor is the right place for a wind farm. We are looking at temporary effects on the setting and that is what . . . Complete story »
Mallow turbine plan: Show us more
The planning department at Cork County Council has issued a six page request to Coillte regarding their application to erect a single wind turbine with an overall tip height of up to 92.5 metres at Carrigduff. A decision was to be reached on Coillte’s application by Thursday, June 11. However, Coillte’s application attracted just shy of 100 observations as well as formal objections. In the correspondence by CCC to Coillte Teoranta, it out lined that it is not yet in . . . Complete story »
NextEra still searching for potential wind farm location in southwest North Dakota
After landowner pushback, the Stark County Commission rejected a conditional use permit for the wind farm on May 5. The first reading of the project had been approved by the county's planning and zoning board on April 30. Complete story »
Navitus Bay developer branded ‘arrogant’ by council leader over claims that most people are behind the scheme
The developer behind the Navitus Bay wind farm has been called “arrogant” by a council leader, while an opposition group has slammed its claims that a majority of people are in favour of the scheme. In an interview with the Dorset Echo’s sister paper, the Daily Echo, on Friday, senior project manager for Navitus Bay Development Ltd (NBDL) Stuart Grant said that 65 per cent of the local population was in favour of the scheme, which would see 121 turbines, . . . Complete story »
Independence wind turbine: Kingston Wind Independence LLC reacts to results
KINGSTON – It’s looking more likely that the Board of Health will have a vote in July or August on placing further restrictions on operations of the Independence wind turbine. The board may vote to amend an abatement order approved last fall restricting the hours of operation under certain wind conditions when the turbine is deemed to be out of compliance with state noise regulations, or it could enact a new one. Board of Health Chairman Bill Watson said the . . . Complete story »
Local residents speak out against wind farms
A meeting next week on the Flatrock Wind Project may determine the fate of Rush County, according to Stu Linville, a wind farm protester, so to speak. Linville, along with several others, formed an LLC in hopes to bring education and awareness to Rush County. “We actually formed an LLC, Rush County Wind Awareness, and we do have legal representation to give us some legal guidance along this route,” Linville said in an interview. “Many of us have heard talk . . . Complete story »
People power stalls plans to build eight turbine windfarm at Mochrum Fell
People power has won the day on a controversial windfarm project … for now. Objectors protested outside the council offices in Dumfries yesterday to make clear their opposition to plans for eight turbines at Mochrum Fell in the Glenkens. And rally organiser Trevor Procter reckoned the demonstration “probably helped” as councillors voted to turn down the proposals, even though planners recommended for them approval. Mr Procter said: “I’m relieved, now we just need to wait for an appeal.” The project . . . Complete story »
Wind farm wins county’s OK
The Henry County Planning Commission has voted unanimously to grant Whitewater Wind’s request for up to eight wind turbines in Dudley Township. About 50 people attended the commission’s meeting Tuesday, with some speaking against the proposal. The next step for Whitewater Wind is to participate in similar meetings in Fayette and Rush counties, which are also included in the wind farm plans. The company is considering placing 77 wind turbines, including 43 in Fayette, 25 in Rush, and as many . . . Complete story »
Commissioners vote no to amending setback distance
The Whitewater Wind Farm project took a huge step forward in Fayette County Wednesday night. Fayette County Commissioners, by a count of 2-0, voted to approve the county Area Plan Commission’s unfavorable recommendation for amending the county’s current setback ordinance, which determines the required distance of a wind turbine from the dwelling and property line of a non-participating landowner. The APC had forwarded their unfavorable recommendation on amending the ordinance to commissioners, after weighing in on the petition from the . . . Complete story »
