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Wind Power News: November 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.
Researchers warn of ice-throw danger from wind turbines at Balsams
Researchers who worked near the 400-foot high wind turbines on peaks above the proposed Balsams ski area say there is reason to be worried about people getting too close: They saw chunks of ice being thrown and found ice craters and broken saplings 930 feet from a turbine. Their information highlights one of the smaller, unresolved issues as developer Les Otten tries to reopen the resort, a move seen as providing a huge economic boost to the North Country: how . . . Complete story »
Wind project on Mt. McDonald may be revived
Wind, a clean energy source, may become a hot commodity for industrial developments trying to meet government environmental conditions. At least, that is what the new owners of the Mt. McDonald Wind Energy Project are thinking. The wind project first came to light under Bridge Power, the original developer that identified the site in 2008 and built the four 80 metre MET masts, for acquiring wind data. The company began to develop the project and started to move through the . . . Complete story »
St. Albans Town joins wind project opposition; Selectboard allocates $10K to fight turbines
ST. ALBANS – The town selectboard voted to join Swanton and Fairfield in opposing the Swanton Wind project at the Public Service Board hearing during their meeting last Monday night, allocating up to $10,000 to oppose the project. The motion passed 3:2. Selectboard members also discussed the town’s purchasing policy and Green Mountain Power’s (GMP) solar panels on Dunsmore Road. Al Voegele, the interim town manager, said he received a request from Swanton asking the selectboard to reconsider getting involved with . . . Complete story »
Collins bill aims to stop wind turbine project
Rep. Chris Collins Tuesday took the strongest stand he could take against Apex Clean Energy’s proposal to build up to 70 wind turbines in the region: he introduced a bill that aims to block the project. Collins’ legislation would prevent energy-producing windmills from being subsidized with renewable energy tax credits if they are located within 40 miles of a U.S. military facility. That’s important because the tax credits help wind power projects become profitable. “Federal tax policy has been the . . . Complete story »
Warren County wind farm debate continues
WEST LEBANON, Ind. – After more than three hours of public comment on Monday night, the fate of a controversial wind farm proposed in Warren County still hangs in the balance. About 100 people gathered at the Seeger Memorial Junior-Senior High School in West Lebanon to discuss the Jordan Creek Wind Farm. The Warren County Board of Zoning Appeals meeting heard from most of the attendees, who gave passionate speeches for and against the project. The meeting met its time cap . . . Complete story »
Windfarms running at a third of maximum capacity, research shows
A new report has highlighted that onshore wind farms in the north-east are still generating less than a third of the electricity they could. Estate agent Savills charted the “exceptional growth” of turbines in Aberdeenshire and said the region’s experience could be an example to other parts of the UK. It found that around a fifth of all of Scotland’s wind power production was concentrated in the area, with enterprising farmers and others behind a private-sector boom. The new research . . . Complete story »
Holland: Dairy Air Wind disputes arguments against met tower
HOLLAND – Dairy Air Wind says there’s no reason to hold a hearing or delay granting a certificate of public good for a wind measurement tower on a Holland dairy farm. The developer also says that he cannot be compelled to share the data from the meteorological “met” tower with the Holland Planning Commission. Dairy Air Wind applied Oct. 3 with state utility regulators for a certificate for the met tower. Dairy Air Wind, financed by renewable energy developer David Blittersdorf, . . . Complete story »
County officials need to be aware of perception
There’s been some fuss recently, among some of the local population, regarding a couple of recent decisions made – and actions taken – by the Fayette County Board of Commissioners. And rightfully so, when you look at why the fuss has risen to the surface. Within the past month, county commissioners – and county council – have approved extensions of the previously approved tax abatement and economic development agreements those parties have with NextEra Energy Resources, the company behind the . . . Complete story »
State high court will hear Clean Line appeal
CHICAGO – The fate of the Rock Island Clean Line project is in the hands of the Illinois Supreme Court. The proposed 500-mile high-voltage power transmission line would run through several counties in Illinois, including Whiteside and Bureau, and in Iowa. Rock Island Clean Line’s application to build the power line was unanimously approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2014, but an Aug. 10 appellate court ruling reversed the ICC’s decision. Houston-based Clean Line Energy appealed the reversal that . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plans roll into town
Plans have been unveiled to display the new designs and layout for a proposed wind farm in Aberdeenshire. A public exhibition for the new structure at the Fasque and Glen Dye Estate was hosted by Coriolis Energy in Strachan Village Hall yesterday. The energy company’s development manager, James Baird said: “We still have more surveying to do before the application is ready to go in, but we are looking to have it submitted by June 2017.” These are the second . . . Complete story »
