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Wind Power News: February 2017
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.
Front seat view of wind farm
I would like to commend Rick Kelley and the Valley Morning Star for the informative article “Dead Zone” that appeared on the front page of the Star on Sunday, Feb. 19. The article deals with the economic hangover that will take place when the hundreds of wind turbines that mar the beautiful Rio Grande Valley landscape wear out. As an agriculture pilot, or crop duster, who has worked valley fields for more than 40 years, I have had a front . . . Complete story »
Storms damage waterfront wind turbine
Friday night’s storms caused damage to one of the wind turbines on Conneaut’s waterfront. These pics were taken by Polly Finlaw Saurwein. It appears that one of the blades of the wind turbine have been blown off either by a lightning strike or high winds. The turbine is on the wastewater treatment property at the foot of Broad Street. According to a 2009 press release, the turbine is owned by NexGen Energy Partners and was expected to provide about 60% . . . Complete story »
Wind farm divides North Carolina Republicans
HERTFORD, N.C.—More than 100 giant wind turbines started producing power this month amid 22,000 acres of cotton, soy and wheat fields. But North Carolina’s first wind farm may remain its only one as the state, like some others, rethinks its commitment to green energy. The recent wind-energy push has caused an unusual fight among North Carolina Republicans, with some GOP politicians opposing the project because of its reliance on federal tax credits and potential risks to the military, and rural . . . Complete story »
Monster windmills, not in my backyard
When Günter Raake steps out of his house on the island of Rügen, he imagines the Cologne Cathedral towering before him. He envisages a colossus, 150 meters high, on a field just a few hundred meters from his new house. Because that is the height of “the monsters,” as Mr. Raake calls the five wind power turbines that an investor wants to set up near his home. In 2015, the former music manager moved from Hamburg to Wittow, on the . . . Complete story »
Lighting strikes wind turbine
CONNEAUT – Lightning apparently does strike twice as the Conneaut harbor wind turbine was hit early Saturday morning causing one of the blades to fall off, said Conneaut firefighter Chad Carter. The turbine was damaged by lightning previously. He said the call came in around 1:15 a.m. and firefighters stayed on the scene until the motor was turned off by city officials from the wastewater treatment plant which is close. Carter said cones were placed in the area to make sure . . . Complete story »
Firm says Potsdam not being considered for wind farm project
POTSDAM – The firm hoping to build 40 wind turbines in Parishville and Hopkinton says a letter it distributed recently to some St. Lawrence County residents incorrectly listed the Town of Potsdam as another possible location for a wind farm. “The appearance of Potsdam in the letter was an honest mistake,” said Paul Copleman, spokesman for Avangrid, the developer of the proposed North Ridge Wind Farm between State Rts. 11B and 72 in Parishville and Hopkinton. But, Potsdam might be . . . Complete story »
Turbine blades pose ‘substantial threat’ to migratory bats — study
The expansion of wind turbines across North America could drive one of the most common migratory bat species to the brink of extinction, according to a new study that calls on regulators and the wind power industry to take immediate steps to address the problem. The study, published this week in the journal Biological Conservation, investigated whether fatalities at wind power sites “could impact population viability of migratory bats, focusing on the hoary bat, the species most frequently killed by . . . Complete story »
State might let wind farm kill more bats
A Maui wind farm wants the government to increase the number of endangered Hawaiian hoary bats it is allowed to kill, after passing the limit 15 years ahead of schedule. SunEdison Inc., owner of the 21-megawatt wind facility called Kaheawa Wind Power II, requested to increase the amount of hoary bats the facility is allowed to kill to 62 from 11 bats over its 20-year project with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. DLNR proposed to approve the increase . . . Complete story »
Swanton wind project does not meet regional plan
ST. ALBANS, Vt. – A Franklin County wind project is facing new opposition. At a meeting Wednesday night, the Northwest Regional Planning Commission said the Swanton Wind Proposal does not conform to portions of the 2015 regional plan. They found it does not conform in areas including resources, aesthetic and orderly development of the region. Swanton Wind said in a statement it is “confused and disappointed by the Commission’s decision.” A representative tells WCAX News they believe their project meets . . . Complete story »
Wind-power developer appealing Dan’s Mountain denial
CUMBERLAND – A wind-power developer hoping to place 17 turbines atop Dan’s Mountain is appealing an administrative judge’s order that effectively killed the project. Dan’s Mountain Wind Force LLC, a subsidiary of U.S. Wind Force, filed the notice of appeal to the Maryland Public Service Commission on Wednesday. Chief Public Utility Law Judge Terry J. Romine issued a proposed order last month that said benefits of the projects “do not justify or offset subjecting the local community to the adverse impacts . . . Complete story »
