Wind Power News: December 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.
Plans for 24 turbines near NC500 route attracts hundreds of objections
Councillors have been urged not to block revised plans for 24 turbines near the NC500 route in Caithness – despite hundreds of objections. The windfarm scheme for Limekilns Estate at Reay was thrown out last year after opposition from Highland Council about visual and wild land impacts led to a public inquiry and rejection by Scottish ministers. Dorset-based Infinergy subsequently lodged revamped proposals for the site, attempting to address concerns raised previously. Highland councillors will consider whether to lodge another . . . Complete story »
Wind farm threatens important raptor flyway in East Africa’s Rift Valley
“Hey mzungu,” was the shout that greeted me, accompanied by two surprised faces, as I darted outside to lock the hubs of my vehicle for four-wheel drive. Rain splattered the windscreen, black cement-like mud engulfed my feet, and migrating Amur falcons zoomed past in their furious bid to reach the southern regions of Africa in the coming days. The voices came from beneath the slim sheltering eaves of the only building within eyesight, which was dwarfed by the mighty communication . . . Complete story »
Sumner commissioners approve windmill project
The Sumner County Commissioners overturned the 5-3 recommendation by the planning commission to deny a zoning change request for the Argyle Creek Wind Mill project. The commission meeting was moved to the Raymond Frye Complex due to the large crowd that was expected. The filled seating area was mixed with residents both for and against the proposed project. Invenergy’s, project developer, Vice President of Development Kelly Meyer presented a 30-minute slide show discussing the project and benefits from the wind . . . Complete story »
Huron East no longer “unwilling host” for wind projects
Huron East council has rescinded an earlier motion that declared the municipality an unwilling host for wind turbines. Mayor Bernie MacLellan made the motion explaining that he was not aware of any situation where declaring itself an unwilling host had been effective in preventing a municipality from being a host for a wind energy development. But, he pointed out, by rescinding the designation the municipality would be eligible for a Vibrancy Fund payment of 115-thousand dollars a year from St. . . . Complete story »
Energy remains big issue in Franklin County’s future
Wind. Solar. Hydro. Natural gas. Nuclear. Anywhere you look, a major story that’s sure to remain very much with us in the coming year is energy – and its implications for the environment. To be sure, a continuation of an ongoing struggle over bringing safe, reliable and cost-effective energy solutions closer to fruition for more people will continue to foment discussion and debate. The most significant energy question in the coming year, in terms of potential long-range environmental impact on the . . . Complete story »
Proposed Black Hawk County wind farm sees opposition
WATERLOO, Iowa – Residents have voiced opposition to a proposed wind farm development in southern Black Hawk County. RPM Access has planned to build the 70-megawatt Washburn Wind Farm just south of Waterloo, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (http://bit.ly/2iA9sIh ) reported. Several people who live nearby have said they’re concerned that the turbines could hurt their property values, kill bats and birds, throw ice from the blades and cause health issues due to low-frequency noise, motion and shadow flicker. “If this windmill . . . Complete story »
Dozens of rural Maine townships opt out of fast-track wind power zone
Dozens of sparsely populated areas across Maine have won special protections that could pose a hurdle to companies looking to build wind power turbines in some of the state’s windiest areas. The designations come years after Maine under Democratic Gov. John Baldacci set an ambitious target of 3,000 megawatts of wind energy by 2030. That’s enough to power perhaps 675,000 homes each year if produced by wind turbines on land. To reach that target and promote job creation, lawmakers accelerated . . . Complete story »
Fight over a wind turbine in Holland pits pastoral beauty against renewable energy
In town-wide vote, 314 residents – a large majority – voted against the wind turbine on the Champney's property. Thresher Hollis was one of them. He lives less than a mile from the Champney's farm and would be able to see the turbine from his house. He says after 10 years of living on his Holland property, if the wind turbine goes up, he and his wife will move out. Complete story »
New federal rule loosens industry restrictions to protect eagles
The once-endangered bald eagle has run smack into human progress. Federal regulators have approved a controversial proposal to allow the take, or unintended killing, of the protected birds without penalty, under a single permit issued for as long as 30 years. In contrast, a hunter killing an eagle without a permit could be fined $15,000 and jailed for six months. In other “take” cases, a permit is required for each kill. The loosening of permit restrictions is designed, like the . . . Complete story »
Renewable power standards face uncertain future
A consumer subsidy for renewable power in Maine may be ending – or at least changing. It’s called the Class 1 Renewable Portfolio Standards program, and many stakeholders, including environmentalists, say it’s ready for reform. Your electric bill pays for a lot of things: the electricity itself, the poles and wires that get it to your house and some extras, such as assistance for low-income electricity users and renewable energy. That last charge allows electricity generators powered by solar, wind, hydro . . . Complete story »
