Wind Power News: October 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.
Small game hunting season begins Friday; more wind turbines coming?
I am not fossil fuel industry sympathizer or climate change denier — just someone who is passionate about protecting Lake Erie. Fishing will not be enhanced. Untold numbers of birds and bats will be killed. Mechanical failures can result in oil leaks. Boating will be riskier, due to collisions with the towers. Will money and equipment to dismantle the turbines be available at the end of their useful life; or will the companies declare bankruptcy and leave them to slowly decay? Why should Ohioans and other U.S. citizens surrender enormous public boating and fishing territory to any private company, especially a foreign one? What’s next, leasing Niagara Falls to China to sell hydropower back to us? Complete story »
Energy Blend: Status of controversial 725-mile super highway for wind power unknown for Moffat County landowners
Since receiving federal approval in December, the TransWest Express Transmission Project still has several hurdles to clear before construction on the 725-mile line can begin. Amid tough economic times for Moffat County, the project promises a short-term boom of construction jobs and much-needed property tax revenues – to the tune of between $600,000 to $900,000, annually – once the line is up and running, according to a fact sheet from TransWest. But when, exactly, that will occur depends upon how quickly TransWest . . . Complete story »
PILOT savings will not be a windfall locally
As a property owner in Hopkinton, I have followed the discussion on the wind farm project with a critical eye. As the assessor in one of New York States largest suburban towns, I have years of dealing with PILOT programs, corporate attorneys and developers promises of the community benefits of their “one of a kind-good times for all” developments. Let’s face the reality of the wind farm project. It is about money and the environment. It is about property leases . . . Complete story »
Opposition to new industrial wind towers grows in Somerset County
Four area members of the Legislature have joined county commissioners in Somerset and Piscataquis counties in opposition to proposed industrial wind projects in the Moosehead Lake region as a threat to the area’s tourism-dependent economy. Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, Rep. Chad Grignon, R-Athens, Rep. Paul Sterns, R-Guilford, and Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan, all signed a letter dated Oct. 8 to Judith Judson, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, expressing “our unanimous opposition” to new wind development and high . . . Complete story »
North Branch Twp. planners taken to task over wind turbines
Area citizens hit the North Branch Township planning commission with an onslaught of concerns and technical questions as officials introduced possible changes to an ordinance related to commercial wind turbines being considered for the area. More than 20 people attended the commission’s regular monthly meeting held at 5 p.m., Tuesday (Oct. 24), at the North Branch Township Hall. A similar number turned out for the Burnside Township Board of Trustees monthly meeting just one day prior. Many were ready to . . . Complete story »
Wind farms would need to ‘cover whole of Scotland’ to power Britain’s electric vehicles
Scotland would need to be entirely covered by wind farms in order to power all of Britain’s electric cars, according to a leading academic. Jack Ponton, emeritus professor of engineering at Edinburgh University, said another 16,000 turbines would be required in order to replace petrol and diesel cars with electric vehicles. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has pledged to phase out the internal combustion engine by 2032 – eight years ahead of the rest of the UK. But Prof Ponton said . . . Complete story »
Moosehead-area lawmakers oppose wind projects
Four area members of the Legislature have joined county commissioners in Somerset and Piscataquis counties in opposition to proposed industrial wind projects in the Moosehead Lake region as a threat to the area’s tourism-dependent economy. Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville; Rep. Chad Grignon, R-Athens; Rep. Paul Sterns, R-Guilford; and Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan, all signed a letter dated Oct. 8 to Judith Judson, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, expressing “our unanimous opposition” to new wind development and high-voltage . . . Complete story »
Tasmanian electrical system claims wedge-tailed eagles
Figures show seven endangered wedge-tailed eagles have been killed by electricity infrastructure in the first four months of this financial year. The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment statistics show two eagles were killed at the Musselroe Bay wind farm in North East Tasmania. TasNetworks annual report for 2016-17 revealed 15 birds, including 12 wedge-tailed eagles, a white-bellied sea eagle, a grey goshawk and a masked owl were killed. Australasian Raptor Association spokesman Nick Mooney said the figures . . . Complete story »
Situation remains the same; No new updates on West Fork Wind project
It’s been just over a year since Fayette County commissioners, on Oct. 18, 2016, voted uanimously to extend the economic development agreement an additional two years for a proposed wind farm project involving the county. And, much like the situation was then, it appears to have remained the same in Fayette County regarding the progess of that project, with roughly 8 months remaining until that project – per the agreement – is supposed to commence. The News-Examiner reached out Thursday . . . Complete story »
Cantwell, Hughes vying for Jefferson County Board seat
The town of Clayton has long been embroiled in a fight against a wind farm being planned by Avangrid Renewables. The turbines would be built in the towns of Clayton, Orleans, Brownville and Lyme. The issue is no stranger to Mr. Cantwell, who has served on the Clayton Town Council since 2009. Both candidates said they would have backed the county’s recent resolution that supports any effort to prohibit wind turbines within a certain radius of Fort Drum. Officials there have said wind turbines could cause interference with radar systems. Complete story »
