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Wind Power News: July 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.
Aceptan instalar parque eólico en Juchitán
Oaxaca – En el municipio de Juchitán de Zaragoza, que se localiza en la región del Istmo de Tehuantepec, una gran asamblea comunitaria decidió por mayoría después de dimes y diretes, la instalación de un parque eólico en esa demarcación. Es la primera vez en la historia que un proceso de consulta abierto determina la instalación de una empresa privada luego de las irregularidades que se registraron en la ubicación de otros parques, que incluso generaron enfrentamientos con comunidades y . . . Complete story »
John Muir Trust urge Highland Council to object to Altnaharra wind farm proposal
The Highland Council’s North Area Planning committee, when it meets on Tuesday, is recommended to make no objection to a proposed 22-turbine wind farm at Altnaharra. But The John Muir Trust has urged the local authority to reject the recommendation of its planning officer and lodge an objection to the development at Creag Riabhach. They say the proposal would be partially located within an official Wild Land Area at Altnaharra, with a visual impact extending to a further three Wild . . . Complete story »
Council abandons plans for three wind turbines on its land
Cornwall Council has dropped plans to erect wind turbines on three pieces of land it owns, due to a change in government policy. The sites were at St Ewe, Grampound and Tregony. Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, announced after the general election that only turbine schemes which had local support would be considered acceptable in planning terms. The council said it would push ahead with a turbine at Ventonteague, near Carland Cross, as a planning . . . Complete story »
Gamesa to carry turbine components through town
Acushnet residents who are up late shouldn’t be surprised to see or hear massive tractor trailers loaded with wind turbine components rumbling through town in the middle of the night over the next few weeks, Gamesa Corporation, the Spanish manufacturer of wind turbines, told selectmen July 27. Gamesa said it would be bringing four industrial-sized turbines into the Port of New Bedford for installation at a site in Buzzards Bay. Company officials told selectmen the big trucks will be forced . . . Complete story »
Wind meeting ‘likely won’t happen:’ Premier’s office
Mayor Robert Quaiff has been informed that there is likely no chance of a having a meeting with Premier Kathleen Wynne regarding industrial wind farms destined for the County. Last week, mayor Quaiff wrote the Premier and Ministry of Environment on behalf of the municipality after WPD’s $200 million White Pines wind project was approved imploring them to not only listen but to truly hear their concerns and discuss them with County residents. In his letter, Quaiff says “we are . . . Complete story »
Hundreds attended Grain Belt Express hearing
PANA – Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp wasn’t expecting trouble at an Illinois Commerce Commission hearing on a proposed high power electrical transmission line Wednesday morning, but he was ready for it. Kettelkamp, several Christian County deputies and commission police were on hand at Pana Junior High School as more than 200 residents filed in for a hearing on whether Clean Line Energy should receive permission to build the Grain Belt Express. The proposed transmission system would bring wind energy from . . . Complete story »
Barge accident dents Deepwater wind farm foundation
As it works to build the first offshore wind farm in the nation, Deepwater Wind is experiencing the potential difficulties of marine construction. First, it was the weather. Rough seas forced the Providence company to push back until last Sunday the installation of the first steel foundation for the five-turbine wind farm off Block Island. Now, Deepwater is dealing with a construction mishap. Earlier this week, one of the barges being used in the project hit the latticework “jacket” foundation . . . Complete story »
NYISO official: Transmission network must be upgraded to handle renewable energy output
WATERTOWN – Upstate New York continues to develop more wind, hydroelectric and solar power, but upgrades to transmission lines and load centers are needed to deliver that electricity to high-demand areas downstate. That was one of the state’s energy-related hurdles discussed by Richard Dewey, executive vice president of the New York Independent System Operator, during a meeting Thursday with the Times editorial board. NYISO is an Albany-based nonprofit company responsible for operating the state’s nearly 11,000-mile high-voltage transmission network. Utility companies . . . Complete story »
Developers pile on with plans for wind, hydro power lines under Lake Champlain
As the permitting process gets underway for the TDI-New England proposal for the New England Clean Power Link, another submarine transmission cable is in the planning stages, part of a rush of proposed projects to bring renewable energy to New England states working to change their energy portfolios. The Vermont Green Line is a proposed 60-mile under-lake and underground power line that would run from Plattsburgh, N.Y. under Lake Champlain to a substation in New Haven, Vt. The transmission line . . . Complete story »
Energy company files rehearing on Grain Belt Express decision
Despite a major blow earlier this month, it’s not over for a Houston-based energy company seeking to build a transmission line to carry wind energy through Missouri and over land in Ralls County. In light of a 3-2 decision by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to deny a crucial certificate to Clean Line Energy to construct the Grain Belt Express, the company filed an application for a rehearing on the matter Wednesday, July 29. The rehearing would take a . . . Complete story »