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Wind Power News: August 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.
Franklin County drafting new TIF application
FARMINGTON – Franklin County has withdrawn its amendment application to its 2008 tax-increment financing agreement connected to the 44-turbine Kibby wind energy facility in northern Franklin County. The facility is on Kibby Ridge in Kibby and Skinner townships near the Canadian border. The county recently hired attorney Shana Cook Mueller of Bernstein Shur Law Firm in Portland who is working on a new draft amendment application. The draft is expected to go before Franklin County commissioners in September. “We want to . . . Complete story »
Planning denied for South Wicklow wind farm project
Wicklow County Council has shot down plans to build a large wind farm in south Wicklow. In July, ABO Wind had applied to Wicklow County Council for permission to develop the wind energy project, consisting of up to eleven wind turbines at Roddenagh, Kiladuff, Ballymanus, Preban, Ballinglen and Askakeagh. The turbines were to have a maximum overall height of 150m to blade tip from existing ground level, a transformer at each turbine and a hard stand area adjacent to each . . . Complete story »
Wild land areas call issued after wind farm legal challenge fails
Campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government to strengthen protection for wild land areas after a legal challenge against a wind farm in the Highlands failed. The 22-turbine Creag Riabhach development on the Altnaharra estate, near Lairg, will have five turbines in an area designated as wild land. Danish businessman Anders Povlsen, whose Wildland Ltd owns neighbouring estates, challenged the Scottish ministers’ decision to grant consent for the wind farm. His case in the Court of Session claimed ministers failed . . . Complete story »
Antrim discusses wind, hydro projects
A wind energy company signed a $125,000 check and handed it over to an Antrim town official Monday night during a public hearing. The money was handed over after the select board approved an extension to its PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) with Antrim Wind Energy. The change extends the timeframe that the company has to go online, pushing the date from Dec. 31, 2018 to that same day in 2019. The money will be added to the town’s . . . Complete story »
Rural caucus discusses wind energy
HARRISONBURG – The Shenandoah Valley may be a prime spot for future wind utility development, according to a James Madison University professor. Area lawmakers heard a presentation on Rockingham County’s potential for wind energy, in addition to talks about industrial hemp and broadband, during a regional rural caucus meeting Wednesday. Jonathan Miles, professor and director of the Virginia Center for Wind Energy at JMU, spoke to about two dozen community and business leaders about the possibility and benefits of wind energy . . . Complete story »
Environmental impact assessment not needed for wind projects: panel
New Delhi: The government’s expert forest panel has given its approval to a 40 megawatt (MW) wind power project in Andhra Pradesh—on the basis of a single contested study on migratory birds—saying an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is unnecessary for wind power projects which produce renewable energy. Its recommendation comes despite the wildlife division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) advocating the need for an EIA. This is not the first time that environment ministry’s forest . . . Complete story »
Easements needed for sidewalks
Whitman noted that he recently reviewed a draft of the Windham Regional plan. The plan includes a statement that utility scale wind is incompatible in conservation areas, resource land, and productive rural land. Whitman said, “The regional plan seems to favor solar options to windmills.” Jim Franzinelli said, “I’d rather look at a windmill than solar panels.” “We could encourage windmills in appropriate places,” Marchegiani added. Whitman said he would bring Readsboro’s inclination to wind power to his regional meetings. Complete story »
Canaan drafts wind farm regulation ordinance
Canaan – Town planning officials say they’ve drafted an ordinance that could ease concerns about potential wind farm development in town. The proposed ordinance would create several regulations governing future wind farms, including new setbacks from neighboring properties, noise controls and protections for scenic views. A draft copy of the rules was released last week, but the ordinance will require a Town Meeting vote in March to take effect. “What we’re trying to do is protect town land from windmills that . . . Complete story »
Government grants immigration loop-hole for offshore windfarm workers
The UK Government has extended the immigration right to remain of non-European Economic Area nationals who work in the offshore wind sector. The decision by the Home Office would give certain non-EU workers an additional year to continue working on offshore wind farm projects. While the fate of other EU and non-EU workers is yet to be determined, the Home Office has made special provision for those non-British workers joining vessels ‘engaged in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind . . . Complete story »
Green light for Altnaharra wind farm; Consent for 22 turbine wind farm in central Sutherland
The result of the Judicial Review into Creag Riabhach Wind Farm at Altnaharra was announced today with Lord Boyd of Duncansby ruling to uphold Scottish Ministers’ decision to consent the project. The wind farm will consist of 22 turbines, with a total generating capacity of 72.6MW, enough to supply around 50,000 homes. The result of the judicial review comes after Scottish Ministers granted consent in October 2016, on the basis that the project would make an important contribution to climate . . . Complete story »
