| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
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.
MPP accuses wpd of trying to bully the County
A letter sent by industrial wind energy developer wpd Canada to Prince Edward County crosses the line, according to Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Todd Smith. The letter, dated Aug. 23rd, declares legal action will be taken if the County fails to issue permits wpd says it is entitled to under its REA (Renewable Energy Approvals) for the project in South Marysburgh. On July 31, wpd served notice to the County it intends to begin installation and construction of the electrical and . . . Complete story »
Action on wind ordinance revisions delayed again
For the second time, Lincoln County commissioners decided not to take action on revisions to its ordinance setting forth standards and requirements for the development of wind farms and the associated installation of wind turbines and transmission lines. At their meeting last week, they continued a public hearing on the ordinance to 1 p.m. Sept. 19, to give representatives from Pattern Development time to submit additional changes they would like incorporated. “This review (of the ordinance) is not to hurt . . . Complete story »
AVEC looking for a new wind turbine site after FAA scraps utility’s plans
Just because you held a public meeting about it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. That’s what AVEC, the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, found out Friday when the Federal Aviation Administration called and said their plan to build a wind turbine off Bethel’s BIA road was a no-go. In an email to KYUK, AVEC wrote that the non-profit utility will not be allowed to erect a 350-foot wind turbine off of BIA road because of “navigational air space conditions.” Their . . . Complete story »
Contentious West Road project issue; Public meeting on road project that some fear will lead to 300 turbine wind farm
Two public meetings will be held on the future of the West Road in South Bruce Peninsula. The first is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29th, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lion’s Head and District Community Centre. The second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wiarton arena on Taylor Street. Bruce County is doing an Environmental Assessment for the West Road to decide what needs to be done to . . . Complete story »
Town of Covert passes solar [and wind] moratorium
For possibly one year, the Town of Covert has passed a moratorium on solar energy facilities, wind energy facilities, and cellular communications towers. The Town Board passed the moratorium at the Aug. 14 meeting, but after comments from the public made changes to a part of the law that covered these projects built by locals on their private land. Public comment of the proposed law included questions about why the moratorium was made for one year, with some resident concern . . . Complete story »
Kenya Power billed for idle wind farm
The developers of Lake Turkana Wind Power project have started billing Kenya Power every month for its failure to distribute their production due to lack of a transmission line. This is despite recent discussions between Energy ministry officials and the wind farm managers to delay the billing that would ultimately be passed on to consumers. “They have been billing Kenya Power,” said an energy sector source who sought anonymity, adding that the government could be absorbing a Sh700 million monthly . . . Complete story »
Corkey Windfarm to be ‘repowered’
The Scottish energy firm who own Corkey Windfarm have announced their intention to re-vamp the site which is coming near the end of its life after over 20 years in operation. ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) recently hosted Public Information Days explaining their plans to “repower” the existing windfarm, by replacing the old turbines, with fewer better new ones. Local MLA Mervyn Storey, who attended the Public Information Day in the Millennium Centre, Loughguile, urged SPR to listen to issues raised by . . . Complete story »
VEC opposing new large-scale renewable projects
Constraints exist on the Lowell project, owned by Green Mountain Power that sells electricity at cost to VEC. The area also includes new energy projects. The VEC is opposing a single 2.2-megawatt wind turbine planned for Dairy Air Farm in Holland; Green Mountain Power is intervening. Complete story »
Scottish wind farm refused over aviation concerns
A council in Scotland has refused planning permission for a nine-turbine wind farm after planners warned that the scheme could pose a risk to aviation. Developer Brookfield Renewable UK Limited had applied to East Ayrshire Council for permission to build nine 100-metre high wind turbines on a 468-hectare site at Drogan, south of Sinclairston and east of Rankinston. National Air Traffic Services (NATS) lodged an objection to the scheme over concerns that the turbines could interfere with local air traffic . . . Complete story »
Former DEC biologist challenges wind developer’s bat studies
Two studies Apex Clean Energy is planning to provide to help assess how its Galloo Island Wind project could affect bats are inadequate for determining the potential impacts, argues avian advocate Clifford P. Schneider. Mr. Schneider, a former biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said Wednesday in a letter to the state Public Service Commission that the 2008 bat study that the developer plans to include in its project application for the state Article 10 law review process . . . Complete story »
