Wind Power News: U.S.
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.
Tri-Cities and other Eastern WA towns need control over where to put wind turbines
Considering the community outcry last year over the massive Horse Heaven Hills wind farm proposal, we imagine many Tri-Citians are upset by news that the project is a step closer to reality. The Washington state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) decided this week that Scout Clean Energy’s application to build the wind farm cleared its first hurdle and can move forward. Council members had to determine whether the application was consistent with Benton County’s land use plans at the . . . Complete story »
Tama County supervisors keep wind ordinance as written
With the request for a moratorium looming, Tama County’s wind energy conversion system (WECS) moved from discussion item to action item during the most recent board of supervisors meeting on Monday. The local coalition Tama County Against Wind Turbines – which formed more than a month ago in opposition to Apex Clean Energy’s proposed Winding Stairs Wind project in the county – was present in the audience as they’ve been during every Monday supervisors’ meeting since April 25, filling the . . . Complete story »
Public comments again sought on Botetourt County wind farm
The developers of a long-delayed wind farm in Botetourt County will again take public comments as they seek to start construction on a project first proposed in 2015. Apex Clean Energy has scheduled a public hearing and information session for June 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fincastle Community Center, according to a notice posted to its website. Anyone interested in submitting their input on the proposed Rocky Forge Wind – which would be the first on-shore wind . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine decision could be left to voters this fall
CRAWFORD COUNTY – Crawford County commissioners recently voted to pause wind farm development across the county and return the decision to voters. The resolution halts construction of Apex Clean Energy’s 300-megawatt wind farm, which was expected to include approximately 60 turbines. In a 2-1 outcome, Commissioner Doug Weisenauer voted against the measure, while Commissioners Tim Ley and Larry Schmidt supported the restricting resolution. The members’ newfound power emanates from Ohio Senate Bill 52, which became law last summer, enabling county commissioners . . . Complete story »
Eminent domain bill won’t stop Grain Belt
Ted Rogers stands near his front porch and gazes past the long gravel driveway that stretches out to State Route A. The Buchanan County farmer says, to no one in particular, “it’s coming.” Nothing that happened in this year’s legislative session changes his premonition about the Grain Belt Express and its impact on the house that his parents moved into in 1955. He’s lived there since 1984. “It’s going to run right past the house,” Rogers said. “Let’s just say . . . Complete story »
Crowding the skies
As wind energy projects continue to blow into northern Carbon County, various entities have sought to determine the impacts it has or will have on wildlife. In 2021, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) had considered a moratorium on any energy projects in the Shirley Basin area. The discussion of this moratorium came following a presentation from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department regarding a study of wind energy project impacts on the Medicine Bow Pronghorn Herd Unit. That . . . Complete story »
Tama Co. supervisors vote to reapprove county’s wind ordinance as written
Tama County’ wind energy conversion system (WECS) ordinace was part of the board of supervisors’ agenda for the first time this past Monday, May 16, rather than merely a discussion item addressing the request for a wind moratorium. The local coalition Tama County Against Wind Turbines – which formed more than a month ago in opposition to Apex Clean Energy’s proposed Winding Stairs Wind project in the county – was present in the audience as they’ve been during every Monday . . . Complete story »
Forum broaches issues with wind farm plans
There are many reasons members of the fishing industry and coastal community are against a federally-backed effort to create wind farms off the Oregon coast, but most agree their main issue with the project is its flawed process for determining where to place such a facility. Around 100 people attended a forum Wednesday afternoon organized by Rep. David Gomberg, Rep. David Brock Smith and Heather Mann, executive director of the Midwater Trawler’s Cooperative. More than half the attendees showed up . . . Complete story »
Hutchinson Siemens plant temporarily shutting down in July, most employees to be laid off
The Siemens Gamesa plants in Hutchinson and Iowa will be shutting down this summer and laying off most employees as the company awaits new wind turbine orders, officials announced on Friday. The blade manufacturing plant in Fort Madison, Iowa, will close first, in June, followed by the Hutchinson nacelle manufacturing plant in July. The company called the closures a “hibernation,” indicating it would be temporary. But a spokesman said it was unclear how long the plants would be closed, depending . . . Complete story »
Honey Creek Action schedules petition-signing events in hopes of vote on wind farms
Honey Creek Action has scheduled two petition-signing events. The political action committee is seeking to force a referendum vote on whether industrial wind farms will be permitted in Crawford County. On May 5, Crawford County commissioners passed a resolution blocking wind farm development in all unincorporated areas of the county, effectively barring construction of Honey Creek Wind, Apex Clean Energy’s planned 300-megawatt industrial wind farm. But under the terms of Senate Bill 52, which became law in July, wind farm . . . Complete story »
