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Wind Power News: March 2016
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.
North Dakota Public Service Commission surprised by wind farm opposition
The Public Service Commission was surprised by the amount of opposition at yesterday’s wind farm hearing in Stark County. The meeting lasted 15 hours, with Next Era Energy testifying in favor of the facility. Then the Concerned Citizens of Stark County spoke against the proposal, followed by more public comment. Wind Energy isn’t new to North Dakota. It’s been around for about 10 years. “We need the power,” said John Warren. Warren was just one of two dozen people who . . . Complete story »
PSC hearing about Brady Wind Farm sees over 150 people in attendance
More than 150 people gathered with coffee in hand before 8 a.m. Wednesday at Dickinson City Hall prepared for a long discussion about the proposed 87-turbine Brady Wind Energy Center in southern Stark County. That’s exactly what they got as morning turned to night and people came and went during the day-long Public Service Commission hearing about the controversial project, which has split the opinions of neighbors and landowners in southern Stark County and beyond. Public Service Commission Chair Julie . . . Complete story »
Tories promise communities power to halt wind farm plans
Communities would be allowed to call a halt to wind farm developments under plans revealed by the Scottish Conservatives. A proposal to give local people the ability to impose moratoriums on wind farms features in the party’s action plan for rural Scotland ahead of May’s election. The party said the move would help restore local accountability in the face of an “increasing creep of centralisation” under the SNP. The document pledges: ” With a moratorium on shale gas exploration now . . . Complete story »
Communities to get windfarm veto under Tory plans
Local communities will be allowed to block controversial windfarm developments under plans set out by Conservative leader Ruth Davidson today. An independent inquiry would also be staged into the recent crisis over late subsidy payments to farmers. Ms Davidson also called for broadband to be rolled out across Scotland by the end of the decade as part of the party’s rural action plan unveiled today at an event with business leaders in the Cairngorms. Ms Davidson accused the SNP Government . . . Complete story »
Tidenham turbine battle intensifies
Tidenham campaigners are taking the Forest of Dean District Council (FDDC) to the High Courts on 21st April 2016 over a proposed 87 metre-high wind turbine. Campaigners lead by Tidenham resident Peter Wright, have sought a judicial review of the FDDC’s decision to approve planning proposals for the turbine at Severndale Farm off the A48. The point of contention is whether the plans constitute a community benefit, and the case looks to set a precedent for further development of wind . . . Complete story »
SBC baulks at Stow wind farm
The planning committee of Scottish Borders Council has lodged an objection to the extension of a wind farm near Stow. The controversial bid comes from Wind Prospects Development 2 Ltd which wants to add seven turbines, up to 110 metres high, to the array already operating at Longpark, just south of the village on Bow Farm. As the generating capacity of the installation exceeds 50MW, consent is in the gift, not of the council, but of the Scottish Government’s Energy . . . Complete story »
Importance of aviation safety
On Tuesday I watched in amazement the north planning application committee discussing the Wind Harvest proposal for Caithness. The MoD had objected on grounds of aviation safety and impact on Lossiemouth in particular. The applicant had failed to reach agreement with the MoD. The conduct of three SNP Councillors was bordering on ludicrous and certainly could be viewed as dangerous. Cllr Farlow could not understand how a ‘stationary’ turbine could be seen as an aircraft. Although turbines are frequently stationary, . . . Complete story »
PSC hearing about western N.D. wind farm sees over 150 people in attendance, goes on for more than 12 hours
DICKINSON – More than 150 people gathered before 8 a.m. Wednesday at Dickinson City Hall prepared for a long discussion about the proposed 87-turbine Brady Wind Energy Center in southern Stark County in southwest North Dakota. That’s exactly what they got as morning turned to night and people came and went during the more than 12-hour Public Service Commission hearing about the controversial project, which has split the opinions of neighbors and landowners in the county and beyond. Public Service Commission . . . Complete story »
County adopts wind regulations
The Gage County Board of Supervisors strengthened commercial wind energy regulations before approving them at Wednesday’s regular meeting. Gage County Planning and Zoning previously recommended a cumulative plan for wind regulation to the board in February. The board amended various aspects of the proposal before approving it, most notably increasing setback requirements of wind turbines and lowering the maximum decibel level for non-participating land owners. Participating properties are those under an agreement with a wind energy system company, while nonparticipating . . . Complete story »
Conwy farmer orders SP Manweb off his land as battle intensifies to safeguard historic farmhouse from pylon blight
A Conwy farmer is refusing access to his land in an escalating battle to safeguard an historic building from controversial plans for overhead power cables. John Mars-Jones said Berain farmhouse at Llannefydd is of “national significance” and will be scarred forever if 18 large pylons are erected on his land, the nearest coming within 100m of the building. SP Manweb wants to build 17km of power lines linking two windfarms in Clocaenog Forest with a sub-station near St Asaph. Around . . . Complete story »
