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.
Ottawa silent on wind turbine noise
The federal government’s inaction on wind turbine noise is making Canadians sick. It’s been a year-and-a-half since Health Canada’s $2-million study determined low-frequency acoustic waves from industrial wind turbines cause community annoyance. According to the World Health Organization, unwanted noise, even at a moderate level, can lead to a myriad of adverse health outcomes, including stress-related symptoms such as sleep disturbance, elevated blood pressure, cardiac events and depression. It’s a “green” form of radiation sickness. Canada’s Radiation Emitting Devices Act . . . Complete story »
Dahlkemper faulted on lake turbines
Here in Erie County, County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper is pushing for Lake Erie Energy Development Corp.’s huge industrial wind turbines in the Pennsylvania waters of Lake Erie and is also holding programs for designating by the U.S. Department of Commerce the Pennsylvania Lake Erie waters as a National Marine Sanctuary. Not exactly a good fit to have industrial wind turbines in a major bird migration flyway and in a National Marine Sanctuary. Dahlkemper is on the board of directors of . . . Complete story »
Editorial: Ill winds in Grafton and no end in sight
Grafton may have already lost. Even before the voters cast one ballot on the Iberdrola wind project, the town is torn apart. Incivility reigns. All it took was the prospect of this industrial wind project for community members to lose sight of the characteristics that have made Grafton a desirable home. There seems to be no middle road in industrial wind farm discussion. It quickly becomes us vs. them: flatlanders vs. woodchucks; privileged vs. workers; anti-wind vs. pro-process; pro-people vs. . . . Complete story »
Windham, developer clash on turbine talks
WINDHAM—A few weeks ago, a turbine developer requested that Windham town officials create an “independent and balanced committee” to discuss the controversial Stiles Brook Wind proposal. But a war of words has ensued. The town fired first, with two of three Selectboard members on June 20 approving a letter urging developer Iberdrola Renewables to “suspend your involvement with this project immediately” based on environmental and health concerns. Iberdrola responded two days later with a sharply worded statement accusing Windham officials . . . Complete story »
Peru select board to write LUPC regarding neighboring wind power project
PERU – The Peru Board of Selectmen voted Monday night to send a letter to the state Land Use Planning Commission requesting it remove Milton Township from the state’s list of areas for expedited permitting for wind power projects. The decision followed a request from Peter Fetchko of Woodstock, who asked if selectmen were aware of the proposed project. Two of the five said they had heard rumors or guessed a project was in the works. EverPower Wind Holdings in Pittsburgh, . . . Complete story »
Rocky Forge Wind Farm generates comment at Eagle Rock meeting
The opposition against the Rocky Forge Wind Farm in north Botetourt County came out in full force on May 25, dressed in bright green vests. About 20 people strong, there was an equal amount there to give comments on behalf of the wind farm in a two-hour period. The event was held at Eagle Rock Library by Apex Energy, the group proposing the wind farm on property owned by Jerry Fraley in northern Botetourt. Among those questioning the wind farm . . . Complete story »
County committee says ‘no’ to wind farm tax breaks
A Jefferson County legislative committee is saying “no” to tax deals for developers of wind- and solar-power projects. All but one county lawmaker on the finance and rules committee voted Tuesday night for a resolution that would deny tax deals to alternative energy projects. It would only affect county taxes. Local towns, villages and school districts could still strike their own deals with developers. “It’s important to know where we stand, we would encourage everybody thats participating in this process . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines aren’t good for us
Here are the scientifically proven facts behind Richard and Edie Elvee’s letter (“We already know the answer,” June 23 Times-News). I’m in contact with physicians in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia who have written about the health effects of living within a mile and a half of a wind turbine. I have received stories and have interviewed wind turbine victims. My reading of peer reviewed information reveals the following: The World Health Organization found that residents living within 6,500 . . . Complete story »
Public comment on wind farms draws about 150 people
Approximately 150 people attended the wind farm meeting dealing with public participation concerning the current wind farm ordinance Monday night at the Skanta Theatre in the Frankfort Community Public Library. Area Plan Commission President Clark beard felt the meeting was what he had hoped for. “I was determined to make sure that the audience felt like it was their meeting, to talk to us and to direct their concerns about the wind ordinance to us,” said Beard. “I felt like . . . Complete story »
Flyers Creek wind farm opponents allowed to withdraw
A planning modification to allow three Flyers Creek wind farm opponents to leave the project has had unintended consequences for a fourth landowner cut off from the rest of the project. Infigen Energy flagged its intent to modify its development consent in August last year to remove three properties from the original proposal and Infigen spokesman Jonathan Upson said it would finally lodge the changes within the next two months. “We have legally enforceable contracts, but that’s not attractive for . . . Complete story »
