Wind Power News: April 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.
Slow speed on wind projects
Barbados appears to be blowing hot and cold over renewable energy projects involving wind power. Foreign and local experts believe the island has the environmental conditions suitable to produce electrical power from the wind. However, BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY investigations revealed that Town & Country Planning regulations concerning land use, and the likely interference wind turbines would pose to the radar system at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) were the major stumbling blocks. Interested investors have already submitted applications to . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind test project “dead in the water” if bill passes
Monhegan residents are preparing for a heated showdown in Augusta next week over a contentious bill that would effectively cancel a proposed offshore wind test project to be sited approximately 2.5 miles to the south of the island. The bill LD 1262, sponsored by Sen. Dana Dow (R-Lincoln Cty.), would prohibit the placement of wind turbines within 10 nautical miles of the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area. But while supporters say the bill would protect Monhegan’s scenic views, opponents say it . . . Complete story »
Hopkinton Wind Advisory Board approves wind overlay zone; town board needs unanimous vote for approval
HOPKINTON – The Hopkinton Wind Advisory Board approved a wind overlay zone that will not expand the land where wind towers can be placed, which will keep the proposed 500-foot turbines away from the Adirondack Park. However, the vote to approve the wind overlay zone would need to be unanimous for the three members who intend to vote. Two town council members are abstaining from votes related to wind power because members of their family are leaseholders with Avangrid. The overlay . . . Complete story »
Reader: Vote a resounding no
A lot of print has been spent on the issue of another group of turbines that will add to the profit margin of DTE. In my opinion and experience, residents have paid little attention to our collective past and have therefore failed to connect the dots. I realize some change is inevitable as time moved on from my birth in Kinde in the mid 40s. Not wanting to spend too much time looking back on the beauty of what the . . . Complete story »
As land conflicts rise, clean energy investors face financial risks
Growing investment in renewable energy projects around the world is sparking more conflicts over land and resources in areas where they are built – a worry investors need to keep in mind, finance and human rights groups said Wednesday. Last year, a planned $150 million Kenyan wind park was cancelled after protests and land disputes, according to a report by the London-based Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and two investor group partners. Another wind farm in the Mexican state . . . Complete story »
Council turns down Howpark wind farm application
Eastern Berwickshire is at saturation point when it comes to accommodating wind farms. That is the message that Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee will again send to the Scottish Government after it unanimously agreed to reject a bid for eight 100m-high turbines near Howpark farmhouse, a mile from Grantshouse and three miles from Coldingham. The site is a wind farm hotspot, with 22 turbines currently generating power at Drone Hill to the north east and 14 turbines under construction at . . . Complete story »
Landslide! Wind bill passes in TN Senate floor
Last week, the quest to stop the proposed Crab Orchard Wind Turbine project took a significant step forward as Bill HB1021 passed on the Tennessee State Senate Floor. Not only did it pass, it did so by a whopping 85-3 vote! Rep. Cameron Sexton successfully maneuvered and helped get the bill passed by a landslide in the Senate and know our bill faces the Tennessee House this week. If the Bill passes the House, this is what it would mean: . . . Complete story »
Tuesday wind vote divides residents
BAD AXE – It is no surprise that both sides of the community have been vocal when expressing their opinion of the ongoing wind turbine development, but with less than a week until the May 2 referendum elections, the heat has been turned up a notch. Huron County is unique in a lot of ways, including the potential for more wind energy. It is now left in the voter’s hands to decide the fate of what future prospects the county may . . . Complete story »
County turbine discussions continue
During Tuesday’s Clay County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, county supervisors shared information, updates and asked questions regarding concerns raised about wind turbines that were stated at a prior meeting. Named the Upland Prairie Wind project, the proposed endeavor by Apex noted on its website that the project will produce 300 megawatts of energy, powering 102,000 homes. The wind energy project would see wind turbines in the northwest part of Clay County, around the townships of Waterford and southern Lone Tree. . . . Complete story »
County planning approves Clayton zoning amendment
WATERTOWN – The Jefferson County Planning Board approved a proposed zoning amendment from the Clayton Town Council that would prevent commercial wind development within town boundaries. Amendment 40, which would regulate the application process, height and setbacks for structures taller than 35 feet including wind turbines, telecommunication towers, silos, church steeples and amusement park rides, was approved with additional comments in a 7-1 vote. The amendment would require anyone wanting to build a “tall structure” to obtain a special permit from . . . Complete story »
