Wind Power News: September 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.
Colorado’s biggest wind farm gets green light
Xcel Energy Inc.’s proposal for a massive, $1.1 billion 600-megawatt Rush Creek wind farm and 90-mile transmission line in eastern Colorado was approved Friday by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The three commissions on Friday verbally approved a settlement Xcel (NYSE: XEL) announced in early September in support of the Rush Creek wind farm and power line as well as for another major transmission line. The wind farm will generate enough power to meet the needs of about 180,000 homes . . . Complete story »
Boastful college claims are misleading
President David Anderson ’74 was proud to announce at Opening Convocation this year that St. Olaf is now a carbon neutral campus. To be considered carbon neutral, all of the electricity used on campus must produce no carbon emissions. It really is quite an accomplishment to power all of a college campus – even a small one – with no carbon emissions, and this is something that St. Olaf should take pride in. However, the term “carbon neutral” isn’t quite . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines a risk to birds living as far as 100 miles away
New research proves wind turbines aren’t just a risk to local birds. Birds from as far as 100 miles away are getting caught in their blades. Large birds like golden eagles are especially prone to collisions with wind turbines. Recently, scientists with Purdue University and the U.S. Geological Survey monitored the effects of turbines at Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in northern California on nearby golden eagle populations. With 5,000 turbines, APWRA is one of the largest wind farms in . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines killing more than just local birds, study finds
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Wind turbines are known to kill large birds, such as golden eagles, that live nearby. Now there is evidence that birds from up to hundreds of miles away make up a significant portion of the raptors that are killed at these wind energy fields. Using DNA from tissue and stable isotopes from the feathers of golden eagle carcasses, researchers from Purdue University and the U.S. Geological Survey found that golden eagles killed at the Altamont Pass . . . Complete story »
Municipal group says energy planning rules demand too much
Legislators this year promised towns and regions more say in where renewable energy projects are built if the communities write energy plans that pass muster. Now state regulators are deciding where to set that bar, and critics that include opponents of current Vermont energy policy say it’s too high. However, some officials who have written energy plans in preparation for the new standards say the process wasn’t terribly demanding. The Public Service Department is seeking feedback on a draft set . . . Complete story »
Supervisors adopt wind energy conversion systems ordinance
The Wind Energy Conversion Systems Ordinance For Palo Alto County received unanimous approval during the third and final reading that was attended by over 40 landowners and citizens during the regular meeting of the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, September 27. “I appreciate that people have a say in it and a passion for it. Over a period of time it has been nice to work with this Board and the Zoning Board. They’ve done a lot . . . Complete story »
John Muir Trust sets out battle against Aberfeldy wind farm
Opponents of a massive Highland Perthshire wind farm have set out their case to the public. Conservation charity the John Muir Trust has held an exhibition on the planned Crossburns development near Aberfeldy. Renewables firm Engie, previously known as West Coast Energy, wants to install 25 turbines, each up to 377ft high, next to the existing Calliacher wind farm. The scheme has been criticised by Perth and Kinross Council which claims it could have an “unacceptable and adverse” impact on . . . Complete story »
Planning board approves Clayton’s proposed wind law
WATERTOWN – The Jefferson County Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously approved, with conditions, the Clayton Town Council’s new local wind law proposal, Local Law No. 5. The Town Council introduced the law at its Aug. 24 meeting in order to update its methods to regulate “the application, development and placement of wind energy facilities to protect public health and safety and to minimize the negative impacts.” “We obviously agree with the proactive approach in updating their pre-existing laws,” said Jefferson County . . . Complete story »
Residents want Dutton Dunwich wind farm project cancelled
With Ontario abruptly suspending plans to buy more green power, a Southwestern Ontario MPP and a fired-up group of anti-turbine advocates are pushing the Liberal government to also scrap a hotly contested wind farm imposed on a rural township that voted overwhelmingly against it. The opposition of 84 per cent of Dutton Dunwich residents wasn’t enough to stop the Strong Breeze Wind Farm – the 57.5 megawatt project by Chicago-based energy giant Invenergy that got the green light from regulators in . . . Complete story »
PSO looking to add up to 300 megawatts of Oklahoma wind power
Public Service Co. of Oklahoma is in the market for more wind power. The Tulsa-based utility issued a request for proposal Wednesday for 100 to 300 megawatts of wind power to be produced in Oklahoma. The utility said projects must be a minimum of 80 megawatts and be ready for service by the end of 2018. PSO last added wind capacity in 2013, when the utility went shopping for 200 megawatts but ended up buying 600 megawatts because of low . . . Complete story »
