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Wind Power News: June 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.
These federal rules are supposed to help solar power. Critics say they would do the opposite.
In a landmark announcement this week, President Barack Obama joined with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to pledge that North America will get half of its electricity from climate-friendly energy sources by 2025, in an effort to slow global warming. But in California, renewable energy developers are wondering whether Obama’s actions will live up to his words. Over the last few months, solar and wind industry groups have been fighting federal regulations they say would make it difficult if . . . Complete story »
Commissioner says we’re pawns in wind game
BAD AXE – Huron County is paying the price locally for national policy on wind power and fracking, according to a county commissioner. “We’re pawns in a very big game,” John Nugent told the Board of Commissioners this week. “I’ve heard Donald Trump come out strongly against wind turbines, and I’ve heard him come out strongly in favor of fracking, Nugent said. “I’ve heard President Obama come out strongly in favor of wind energy, and the Democratic platform opposes fracking. “They, . . . Complete story »
Survey says: FG board takes stand against wind farm
The people have spoken – about 2,600 of them – and most don’t want the proposed Crab Orchard Wind wind farm near Fairfield Glade. “We’ve gathered a lot of information we think helps our ability to make our decision,” said Bob Diller, president of the Fairfield Glade Community Club Board of Directors. “The survey results are supporting our decision.” The board unanimously approved a statement opposing the wind farm project at its regular monthly meeting Thursday. Specifically, the statement opposes the wind . . . Complete story »
Wind energy project proposed for Thurston, Lewis counties
A 52-turbine wind energy project called Skookumchuck Wind Energy has been pitched for the southeast corner of Thurston County and northeast Lewis County. The project has been proposed by the U.S. division of Renewable Energy Systems, also known as RES Americas, headquartered in Colorado. A company representative could not be reached Wednesday. “The proposal to develop the project is in response to increasing demands for electricity and the requirement under Washington state law that utilities meet a defined portion of . . . Complete story »
Citizens’ group worried vibrations from wind farm could ruin ground water
A grassroots citizens’ group is taking a proactive stance to try to ensure a proposed wind farm project for their area doesn’t negatively impact their ground water. Kevin Jakubec, spokesperson for Water Wells First! said people living in rural areas rely on ground water and their drinking wells “underpin our ability to live in the countryside.” Jakubec said the group formed after learning some landowners in Dover Township have been dealing with water issues caused by vibrations from the installation . . . Complete story »
Turbine fire in Oak Creek area gets quick response
Kern County firefighters received an early call for a wind generator fire which spread to the grass below it in the Oak Creek area off Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road on Saturday, June 25, and knocked it down quickly, according to KCFD Engineer Phil Neufeld. The crews arrived before the fire could spread, Neufeld said, and firefighters held it two acres of dried grass. Oak Creek resident Diana Palmer said firefighters were on the scene quickly and aggressively and stopped it before . . . Complete story »
28-turbine mega-wind project faces steep opposition in Vermont
Tensions are escalating after the Windham Selectboard sent a letter asking wind developer Iberdrola to back off a 28-turbine, 96-megawatt project planned for Windham and Grafton. “We’re really divided on this,” said Grafton Selectboard member Ronald Pilette. “And that seems to be their way of operation, to come into communities and make a big issue for the town’s people.” According to Windham Selectboard Chairman Frank Seawright, location has been a central theme. “From the very outset we have maintained that this . . . Complete story »
Energy forum draws sparse crowd amid state local debates on power production
NEW BEDFORD – As panelists spoke Wednesday night about the proposed expansion of LNG storage and pipelines in Acushnet and Freetown, North End resident Christine Goben heard concerns that struck very close to home. Goben said she sold her previous home, in Fairhaven, about three years ago, after one of the wind turbines in the town went up about 1,500 feet from her door. Hearing Roger Cabral of anti-LNG group South Coast Neighbors United talk about potential issues for residential neighborhoods . . . Complete story »
Five months of turbine convoys are due to hit North Powys roads
Five months of turbine convoys are due to hit North Powys this year and meetings will be held to inform residents. The developers behind two Mid Wales windfarms currently under construction have jointly organised two public information events to update people about turbine component deliveries which will be starting later in July. Awel Newydd and RES are inviting people to join them at events being held in Pant and Newtown about the turbine delivery programmes for Tirgwynt Wind Farm (Awel . . . Complete story »
Dixfield board to decide on wind ordinance in July
DIXFIELD – Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Wednesday that the Board of Selectmen will decide how to amend a proposed wind ordinance at its meeting in July. This month, residents voted 178-220 against approving the most recent version of the ordinance, which included the state standard for sound limits of 42 decibels at night and 55 decibels during the day. The ordinance was written after Patriot Renewables of Quincy, Mass., approached town officials in October 2010 about constructing wind turbines on . . . Complete story »
