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Wind Power News: Alabama
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.
Public Service Commission hears testimony on proposed 500 MW renewable energy project
The Alabama Public Service Commission heard testimony for more than three hours Wednesday about a petition submitted by Alabama Power seeking permission to offer up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy to its customers, either through new installations or purchase-power agreements with providers in other states. The small-scale renewable energy projects would be up to 80 megawatts each, and could include new solar and wind energy projects, according to details of the proposal provided by Alabama Power. According to Alabama . . . Complete story »
Alabama Power plans to supply more solar and wind power, but not to all customers
This week’s announcement by Alabama Power Co. that it will seek to build or procure up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy was welcomed by clean energy advocates as another block falling from what had once been an impenetrable wall halting alternative energy from entering the state. But it would be a mistake to view Alabama Power’s decision as a hearty embrace of renewable energy. In a June 25 filing with the Alabama Public Service Commission, the company makes clear that it . . . Complete story »
Alabama on track to meet EPA standards state has sued to block
A national science watchdog group says Alabama is more than 85 percent compliant with new federal emissions standards. The “Clean Power Plan” standards proposed last year by President Obama through the Environmental Protection Agency have been criticized by Alabama officials and Attorney General Luther Strange joined in a lawsuit with 11 other states seeking to block the standards. The lawsuit complains that the measures will severely damage the coal industry and lead to increased electricity costs for consumers. Alabama officials . . . Complete story »
Legislation would limit distribution of turbine tax revenue
HEFLIN – Proposed legislation would cut the Cleburne County Commission out of new tax revenue if companies decide to build wind turbines there. State Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, sent a copy of the measure to The Cleburne News on Tuesday to be advertised for four weeks, a requirement before the bill can be introduced in the Senate. The bill specifies that half of any new property tax revenue generated by wind turbines or similar energy producers be distributed to Cleburne County . . . Complete story »
Group handing out signs opposing Cleburne windfarm
HEFLIN – As a developer waits to see if the state Legislature will pass regulations effectively banning the construction of proposed wind turbines in Cleburne County, the fight to get those regulations in front of lawmakers is becoming visible in the yards of local residents. On Friday, bright, yellow signs challenging people to defend their property rights started popping up in Cleburne County yards. The signs, depicting a wind turbine circled and crossed out, were paid for by the Cleburne County . . . Complete story »
Cleburne Co. residents want explanation for delay in wind farm bill
An attorney representing wind farm opponents in Cleburne County says a state senator appears to be standing in the way of their wishes to put the issue to a public vote. There is a group of people opposed to a proposed wind farm sight on Turkey Heaven Mountain in Cleburne County they have shared their feelings several times with the county commission. Recently, that commission passed a resolution asking the area’s legislative delegation to pass a local bill levying regulations . . . Complete story »
Researchers tag two golden eagles in Talladega National Forest
The group of four arrived at a remote ridge in the Talladega National Forest before dawn on a Sunday in early February. They set up a blind – a tarp hidden by vegetation and angled toward a pile of road-killed deer – and settled in for a long wait with no bathroom breaks. The goal: to capture and tag an elusive golden eagle. “One thing you learn about going into the blind: Do not drink any coffee,” said Ray Bittle, one of . . . Complete story »
Cleburne County Commission passes windfarm regulations
HEFLIN – The Cleburne County Commission Monday passed without comment a proposed set of regulations governing the construction of wind turbines in the county. The regulations would have to be approved at the state level before they can applied to any business venture. A proposal to construct wind turbines on Turkey Heaven Mountain by Oklahoma-based Nations Energy Solutions has brought dozens of residents to county commission meetings for nearly a year. Opponents of the project cited fears of how the turbines . . . Complete story »
Wind farms could bring tax revenue, officials agree
A proposal for a wind farm on Turkey Heaven Mountain in southern Cleburne County has been touted as a source of easy tax dollars, and it may be. But after a query to the Alabama Department of Revenue, Revenue Commissioner Joyce Fuller notified county commissioners by email Monday that the project may qualify for an abatement of non-educational property taxes. Property taxes levied for local school systems cannot be abated, Fuller said. Fuller asked the department after local residents opposed . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine opponents say structures could affect radio signals
HEFLIN – Opponents of a proposed wind farm on Turkey Heaven Mountain have brought up concerns that the development might hamper emergency communications in the county, and a communications expert supported their warning. Mark Truett, one of the the dissenters, brought information on the potential for interference to a Cleburne County Commission meeting earlier this month. Mike Tadros, of SpectraWave Communication Systems in South Carolina and one of the people Truett contacted about the issue, said while there are no wind . . . Complete story »
