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Wind Power News: July 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.
New wind tower regulations cause a stir at hearing
Monday’s nearly 3½ hour public hearing on zoning regulations nearly wrapped up without much comment on the wind turbines. Almost. Just as Antelope County planning members began discussing closing the meeting, Invenergy’s Nate Drucker asked for clarification on regulations. More public comments followed. Then the board reversed a previous decision on 1,000-feet setbacks for tower participants, which led to outrage from the few left in attendance. After another half hour on wind, the hearing finally closed and the board voted . . . Complete story »
Madhya Pradesh denies permission to windmill project to protect endangered bird
The state wildlife board has refused permission to the Kshema Power and Infrastructure Company, Dewas, for setting up a windmill project at Sailana tehsil of Ratlam districtas it is likely to disturb the habitat of the highly endangered Lesser Florican, also known as Kharmor locally, in the Sailana Wildlife Sanctuary. For the proposed plant, the company had sought nine hectares of land falling under P-172 of the Ratlam forest circle. However, since the project fell within the eco-sensitive zone (10 . . . Complete story »
Firefighters respond to wind turbine fire
Fire fighters responded to a wind turbine fire out near the Comanche-Caddo County line on Saturday night. Firefighters were called out to the fire around 6:30 p.m. It’s near State Highway 115 by the Caddo-Comanche County line. As of 8 p.m. Saturday, Comanche County officials said the responding agencies aren’t getting too close to the wind turbine for fear the fire would weaken the structure, and fall over. They were keeping the fire contained to that area, and letting the . . . Complete story »
Proper windmill siting necessary to spare birds, bats
The recent cancelation of the proposed Camp Perry demonstration windmill was celebrated by the American Bird Conservancy of Virginia, and the Black Swamp Bird Observatory – a local bird research, conservation and education organization headquartered in Oak Harbor. Using migratory birds to test the best and worst times to allow the blades to spin to see how many are killed was ultimately determined to be a poorly conceived idea. Meanwhile, the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation project that proposes to build . . . Complete story »
Solar policy is on the horizon
BAD AXE – As Huron County wraps up its master plan, officials are getting closer to forming policy on commercial solar energy. The Huron County Planning Commission discussed the role of large-scale solar development and renewable energy in the county’s future this week at a master plan workshop. A Huron County survey by the Spicer Group last fall showed that 73 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with solar energy development. But officials wondered if the people were in support . . . Complete story »
Study to take soundings on dolphins’ attitude to turbines
Scottish scientists are set to gain new insights into the lives and habits of the world’s most northerly resident population of bottlenose dolphins and how they are coping with wind turbines in the North Sea. The study is one of four new scientific projects selected as part of a pioneering £2.7 million investigation into the potential impact of offshore wind farms on society and the environment launched by the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC). The £300 million scheme, Scotland’s . . . Complete story »
Wind developer cautious but ready to continue work on large N.C. project
Despite a moratorium on new N.C. wind projects, Apex Clean Energy Inc. continues to “explore options” for its proposed $300 million Timbermill Wind farm. The moratorium’s proponents presented it as a measure to ensure that wind development in the state would not interfere with flight training at N.C. military bases. Although the state already has procedures in place to consider any military objections to wind projects – and the military has approved of plans for wind projects in the state – those . . . Complete story »
Commissioners pass Mathis, Tynan wind farm rezoning order
San Patricio County is one step closer to the start date of a proposed wind farm that will include the western part of the county – specifically Mathis and a small area in Tynan. Avangrid Renewables Development Officer Jason Du Terroil attended commissioners court on Monday to request a reinvestment zone for the project area which would allow the company to apply for tax abatements. The 200- to 285-megawatt wind farm will feature between 80 and 115 wind turbines, with . . . Complete story »
Wind projects suffer major setbacks
The Henry County Planning Commission on Thursday denied a one year extension for the CAU (Commission Approved Use) for both NextEra Energy Inc. and its West Fork Wind Project and Apex Clean Energy and its Flat Rock Wind Project. The projects, approved two years ago, were attempting to extend their CAUs until they take such measures as procuring building permits and begin construction, explained Henry County Zoning Administrator Darrin Jacobs. The denial means that NextEra and Apex will have to . . . Complete story »
Huge windfarm for Cornwall rejected
Plans for a £30 million pound windfarm in north Cornwall have been blocked. The government says the scheme near Week St Mary would be “an alien presence”. Developers say our energy bills will ultimately go up, unless ministers support onshore turbines. Good Energy Generation Ltd first put in an application for Creddacott Farm back in 2014. That was rejected by Cornwall Council after a string of complaints from locals and parish councils. Now the Secretary of State has rejected an . . . Complete story »
