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Wind Power News: September 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.
Blade failure is ‘isolated’ incident
HURON TOWNSHIP – A wind turbine manufacturer says a wind turbine that broke this week was an isolated event. “Based on preliminary information it appears to be an isolated, individual blade failure and there is currently no reason to suspect this is related to the prior blade incidents at the project,” said Chante Condit-Pottol, communication specialist with Vestas. The broken blade was on turbine No. 51 in the Deerfield Wind Energy Project near the intersection of Kinde and Huron City Roads. . . . Complete story »
Huron wind study awaiting ethics clearance
A study into the health effects of industrial wind turbines in Huron County is awaiting research ethics clearance. Epidemiologist, Dr. Erica Clark, says the clearance is a normal part of conducting research effecting public health. The study from the Huron County Health Unit will examine areas not touched on by a 2015 Health Canada study, which examined the health effects on those living within earshot of wind turbines. As for the ethics clearance, Clark says a research ethics committee board . . . Complete story »
Sen. Hughes conflicting and confusing
In response to Senator Dan Hughes’ recent column on the power industry, I must say that some of his statement are conflicting and confusing. He is concerned about bringing LB 504 out of committee because “it would be limiting the property rights of landowners….” LB 504 would put a temporary hold on wind energy development in the Nebraska Sandhills, but possibly should include the entire state. Wind energy has multiple problems, but in terms of property rights; it reduces the . . . Complete story »
High Court: Waterford residents lose case against Ecopower Windfarm development
Residents who brought judicial review proceedings in relation to a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a wind farm development, have had their application for an order quashing this decision refused in the High Court. Criticising the applicants for their overlapping and contradictory submissions, Mr Justice Robert Houghton was satisfied that assessments were made in line with O’Grianna, and that all arguments in relation to the grid connection and haul route were not sustainable due to the fact that planning permission did . . . Complete story »
Ripon MP Louise Staley votes against Victorian Renewable Energy Target as it would ‘hurt’ jobs and health costs
Ripon MP Louise Staley has voted against legislation to enable a Victorian Renewable Energy Target. Ms Staley told parliament that her vote was influenced by what she saw as potential impacts on jobs, hospital budgets and the cost of living in Ararat. “When we look at the East Grampians Health Service, which is in Ararat where I live, the chief executive of that hospital service has said that their power prices are going up 100 per cent – from $200 000 to . . . Complete story »
Savoy votes down bylaw to make planned wind turbines taller
A five-turbine wind project is moving forward in Savoy, Massachusetts, but residents have rejected a bylaw to allow for taller wind turbines. Voters in the Berkshire County town rejected a bylaw Wednesday to make the planned $31 million renewable energy project’s wind turbines taller on West Hill in Savoy. In June, residents approved a measure allowing the town to negotiate tax incentives with developer Minuteman Wind. The turbine blades originally approved by the town in 2008 are no longer manufactured; . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine noise seminar review and update
Glasgow, 22nd September 2017 — Presentations: Melvin Grosvenor, Independent Noise Working Group (INWG) M Patrick Dugast, LCF Acoustique Expert, Acoustique et Vibrations Dr John Yelland MA DPhil (Oxon) MInstP FIET MIOA AMASA Professor Mariana Alves Pereira, PhD Melvin Grosvenor, representing INWG and affected communities relayed official responses contained in recent correspondence to concerned residents, from the UK Government, Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS), The Scottish Government, Energy and Climate Change Directorate, (ECCD), NHS Ayrshire & Arran (NHS . . . Complete story »
Turbine blade breaks near Lewisville
HURON TOWNSHIP – A wind turbine blade near Lewisville broke in the Deerfield Wind Energy Project near the intersection of Kinde and Huron City Roads. “The site’s contained and Vestas is on site,” said Jeff Smith, Huron County Building and Zoning director Thursday. Vestas is the turbine manufacturer. An official with the Deerfield wind park and a Vestas employee in Bad Axe both refused comment Thursday afternoon. Adam Greene, site supervisor for Deerfield, suggested that the Tribune reach out to Vestas. . . . Complete story »
Turbine blade damaged
LEWISVILLE – A wind turbine blade broke near the corner of Kinde and Huron City roads near Lewisville Thursday morning. Look to michigansthumb.com as more details become available. Complete story »
Cape Wind has a new lease on life
Cape Wind’s lease of 46 square miles of Nantucket Sound was reaffirmed this week, even though the project has appeared dead in the water for several years. The decision, filed Wednesday by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, states that Cape Wind, which proposes to build 130 wind turbines in Horseshoe Shoal, has met the requirements to show that it’s taken “all practicable means to avoid or minimize environmental harm…” The project, which has been . . . Complete story »