Wind Power News: October 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.
Secretary of State told Stone wind turbine concerns have not been addressed
The Secretary of State has been told community concerns about plans for a wind turbine in Stone have not been sufficiently addressed. Hallmark Power’s application for a 272-metre turbine near Cotwalton Road, Cotwalton, was refused unanimously by Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee in May 2014. The Secretary of State is deciding upon a planning appeal by Hallmark Power against the rejection of its plans. Matt Ellis, development lead for Planning and Regeneration at the council, has written to the Planning . . . Complete story »
Province officially closes Big Thunder Wind Park file
The province has officially closed the Big Thunder Wind Park file. Horizon Wind Inc. proposed the controversial project that would see 16 wind turbines constructed on various sites in the south Neebing area of Thunder Bay. The project was first approved by city council in 2007, and soon after opponents of the proposal began to emerge. Earlier this week the province confirmed that the application for the project had been officially denied and closed after the proponent failed to provide . . . Complete story »
Rannoch windfarm plans thrown out as company didn’t exist when submitted
The Scottish Government has turned down plans for a windfarm on a highly sensitive Highlands site because the company applying for permission didn’t exist at the time of the submission. Opponents of the Rannoch Moor scheme said they highlighted irregularities in the application 10 months ago. Campaigners, including the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the John Muir Trust welcomed the rejection as ‘not competent’. They said they hoped there would be no repeat application. The John Muir Trust said: “The . . . Complete story »
‘Clay County Against Wind Farms’ to meet
There’s growing opposition to more wind farms going up in Clay County. In fact, a county wide meeting is set for Tuesday at 7 pm. The group’s called ‘Clay County Against Wind Farms’, and it wants to share information about what it says are negative effects of wind turbines. The Shannon wind farm is being built in Clay County, and at least two more farms are being proposed. The group says there’s significant and growing opposition because of effects from . . . Complete story »
Wind farm ordinance considered Tuesday
TYNDALL – The Bon Homme County commissioners are scheduled to decide next week the fate of a proposed wind energy ordinance. The agenda for Tuesday’s regular commission meeting includes the second reading of Article 17, said Auditor Tammy Brunken. She will finalize the agenda – including the tentative time for action on Article 17 – by 9 a.m. Monday so it can be posted for public inspection 24 hours before the meeting. “(Article 17) will be up for discussion at the . . . Complete story »
Turbine plan is rejected on appeal
A wind turbine application dubbed the ‘Hatherleigh Monster’ by people living in the area has been rejected on appeal. In March 2014 Cornish developer Mi-Grid announced plans for a 77-metre turbine at Heane Farm near Hatherleigh. The project garnered controversy for its size and a team of residents campaigned against the turbine’s construction, dubbing it the ‘Hatherleigh Monster’. If it had been built, the turbine would have stood as tall as a 25-storey building when measured to the blade tip. . . . Complete story »
Wind energy vs. golden eagles
The wind energy company that received a controversial extension in March to continue operating hundreds of old wind turbines in the Altamont Pass is now planning to shut them down, according to an email KQED has obtained. The company might also be replacing them with fewer new turbines, a move that would make its operation safer for birds. Altamont Winds, Inc. (AWI), one of the largest operators in the East Bay’s Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, told the U.S. Fish . . . Complete story »
U.S. tax breaks that clean power doesn’t seem to mind losing
The most significant U.S. tax credit for solar power will expire at the end of next year, and the biggest one for wind power already has. Renewable-energy developers aren’t losing much sleep over it. “The fundamentals of the renewable business have never been stronger,” Jim Robo, chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Inc., told investors during a conference call Wednesday. Robo said the largest North American wind and solar builder will as much as double its resources for developing clean . . . Complete story »
State park defender calls windpower a government-created scam
Of unproven ultimate worth to citizens (like ethanol), another government experiment, wind generation of electricity, has been birthed by shoot-from-the-hip, crisis-oriented, bad public policy. This shortsighted government experiment wouldn’t exist but for government; government promotion; government legislation; government regulation; and let’s not forget, government subsidies extracted from hoodwinked taxpayers it purports to serve. Roles of master and servant have been switched! I do believe more than one politician has created his/her own ‘personal server’, and we’re it! Windpower is so . . . Complete story »
Planning Board opposes turbine bylaw amendment
Falmouth Planning Board will recommend indefinite postponement on a Special Town Meeting article that would allow two town-owned wind turbines to operate by right. The decision was made Tuesday, October 27, following strong opposition from residents at a public hearing to the article. The article proposes an amendment to the zoning bylaw that would allow any town-owned wind energy system used for municipal purposes, in existence as of the date of that bylaw, to be exempt from the provisions of . . . Complete story »
