Wind Power News: Americas
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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.
Honolulu police arrest more opponents blocking convoy to Kahuku wind farm
Honolulu police have started arresting people who are trying to stop the transport of heavy equipment to a new wind farm on Oahu’s north shore. At least two dozen opponents of the Na Pua Makani project have joined themselves together with zip ties and duct tape in Kalaeloa in West Oahu. They are sitting in the road to block the convoy headed to Kahuku. The arrests started just after 10:45 p.m. Sunday. Earlier in the evening, authorities warned demonstrators that . . . Complete story »
Police arrest wind farm protesters at Kalaeloa as turbine blades depart for Kahuku
Police personnel and protesters against the Na Pua Makani wind farm project gathered in Kalaeloa tonight. Update, 12:49 a.m. The chained protester was cut from the gate and arrested around 12:40 a.m. today. He was identified as an 18-year-old with a health condition that protesters wanted a medical professional to attend to. Three trucks carrying the blades for the wind turbines left around 12:50 a.m. with a caravan of police vehicles. They’ll travel via the H-2 and Kamehameha Highway to . . . Complete story »
With eye on Mauna Kea, Oahu isn’t letting protesters stop unpopular projects
When protesters descended upon Mauna Kea in July, the group succeeded in blocking equipment from being delivered to the planned site of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Police tried to disband the blockade, but the arrests of 38 kiai weren’t enough to stop their effort. Vastly outnumbered, they decided against the use of force. Honolulu has been watching and learning from the events on the Big Island. Leaders on Oahu, faced with their own protests to local projects, have decided to . . . Complete story »
Wind project’s future in question
The future of a planned wind project between Albany and Carbon counties is now in question. The result of that could mean the loss of $5 million “impact assistance” funding that governments in Carbon and Albany counties were set to receive from the state. That funding is provided from the state to local governments to offset the impact on social services of big industrial projects like wind farms. “At this point, it’s my understanding the project has ceased or stopped . . . Complete story »
Protests heat up over Kahuku Wind Farm project
Nikki Schenfeld brings us the latest from the North Shore as protests over the Kahuku Wind Farm project led to 55 arrests. Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested at Kalaeloa – photo gallery
About 75 to 100 protesters gathered at Kalaeloa, including 22 protesters who made a human chain using duct tape and zip ties. Approximately 150 Honolulu police officers were on the scene. Opponents to the planned Kahuku wind farm gathered to protest and form a blockade to stop the trucks moving turbine parts in Kalaeloa. Complete story »
55 protesters arrested as wind farm convoy completes journey to Kahuku
As part of an hours-long operation that stretched from Kalaeloa to the North Shore, police arrested 55 people at two protest sites as they worked to clear a path for a convoy with giant turbines destined for a planned wind farm in Kahuku. The convoy forced the closure of several major thoroughfares, snarling traffic for thousands. Exacerbating the situation: Crews had to respond to a utility pole that had been cut down on Kamehameha Highway near Turtle Bay. Police said . . . Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm building while legal and regulatory challenges loom
Despite years of preparation, the Kahuku wind farm project Na Pua Makai faces legal hurdles that are still under review. Always Investigating found several cases are still not resolved, things that could delay or disrupt the wind farm’s legal rights to proceed. Opponents say all of this should be dealt with before construction starts. Supporters say preparation have been adequate and permissions are proper to proceed. The Intermediate Court of Appeals is reviewing whether a key component of the windmill . . . Complete story »
Is wind energy killing our ducks?
As duck hunters we know, and are constantly concerned about, weather, habitat, spring hatches, pond counts—basically anything that could derail the health of the birds we love to pursue. Unlike whitetails or big game, our quarry migrate up and down four flyways, traversing thousands of miles and inhabiting innumerable wetlands along their journey. This makes them vulnerable, with plenty of ways for doom and gloom to creep in. Nesting and wintering grounds are in jeopardy each season. Wetlands are drained . . . Complete story »
Arrests made in Kahuku as protesters stand ground against North Shore wind farm
A busy morning in Kahuku as crews tried to transport equipment for a controversial wind farm project. Kiai or protectors formed a human chain being zip tied together to prevent equipment from entering the site. Eventually, one by one, Honolulu police arrested the demonstrators. At the end, construction trucks made it into the site. Some kiai who were arrested say that’s not the end of their mission to protect what they believe in. The reason why there’s so much pushback . . . Complete story »
