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.
Measures to block wind farm voted down
In other business the commissioners: — Voted down four proposals dealing with a proposed wind turbine project on Turkey Heaven Mountain. The first resolution asked that the commissioners promise not to close or re-route Cleburne County Road 852 which is the main road up the mountain. The second asked that the commissioners withdraw support for wind turbines and contact local legislators and the governor to notify them. The third asked the commissioners contact Gov. Robert Bentley to request a statewide one-year moratorium on the construction of wind turbines. The last asked that they promise not to use eminent domain or condemnation of private property to benefit the development of wind power. The first three were defeated 1-3 with Langley voting yes and Commissioners Bobby Brooks, Laura Cobb and Emmett Owen voting no. The fourth died in a 2-3 vote with Langley and Cobb voting yes and Brooks and Owen voting no. Commission Chairman Ryan Robertson broke the tie with a no-vote. Complete story »
Cleburne commission discusses budget problems
In other business the commissioners: -Took questions from some local residents about a wind farm proposal for the county. One resident asked the commissioners if they were planning to tour a wind farm soon. He also asked if members of Wind Farm Awareness, a group opposing a wind farm on Turkey Heaven Mountain, would be allowed to accompany them. Commissioners said they have discussed touring a wind farm, and they told the resident that they would keep him updated on that decision. Another resident, Mark Truett, presented the commissioners with a list of questions about the project and a DVD about wind turbines. He noted that the DVD might lean toward an anti-wind turbine sentiment. Complete story »
Residents near proposed wind mill farm sue developers
HEFLIN – Residents lobbying against a proposed wind turbine project on Turkey Heaven Mountain in Cleburne County have filed a lawsuit asking for a permanent halt to the project. The lawsuit was filed June 2 by neighbors of the properties being explored as possible sites for wind turbines. The lawsuit names Nations Energy Solutions, a company doing wind testing on the mountain, and other companies that may be involved in the project, including Wind Capital Group, as well as property owners . . . Complete story »
Proposal would put wind turbines on North Alabama mountain ranges
Some wind turbines are stirring-up controversy in North Alabama, which could first foray into harnessing wind energy. A proposal would put 35 to 40 wind turbines on two mountain ridges in Jackson and Madison counties. But there are some concerns. “Everything we do to generate power has its pluses and minuses. And so I believe that we need to evaluate those carefully,” says Horace Clemmons, who’s planning to lease land to NextEra Energy. A proposal could put in wind turbines . . . Complete story »
More thoughts on the windmill debate
An embellishment is called for after the commentary comparing my home town, Gadsden, Ala., with Kokomo in relation to windmill installation. I pointed out the fact Kokomo and Howard County residents have had the opportunity to see the future; the monstrous Frankenstein wind farm in and around Tipton County. The citizens of Howard County have now been up close and personal. They observed what an undertaking of this magnitude can do to the social and economic fabric of a community. . . . Complete story »
Heed painful lessons from Indiana on wind farms
This is a tale of two cities and counties, with one city and county thrown in for comparison. The two subject areas are similar in size and their economies are congruent. Both have faced hard economic times and lost a major industry. In both cities the two major employers have overcome economic struggles and are viable entities. The present unemployment rate of the two is below the national average. The two subject cities are my hometown of Gadsden and my . . . Complete story »
Residents’ opinions differ near site of proposed wind farm
Cleburne County Road 852 is a bumpy gravel road that winds past a few scattered homes, a cell tower, towers that are used by airports and lots of trees as it climbs to the top of Turkey Heaven Mountain. Thick stands of trees obscure most of the view leading up the mountain, and homes built along the road to take advantage of cleared areas block the rest. But off the road are some hidden ridges that open up to a . . . Complete story »
Cleburne commission lets die proposal to halt wind farms
HEFLIN – The Cleburne County Commission on Monday declined to vote on a proposal that would have forced its members to decide whether to close a road for a proposed wind turbine project on Turkey Heaven Mountain. Nations Energy Solutions, which is still exploring the potential of the mountain as a location for wind turbines, has not made a commitment to build there or asked the commission to close the road. Commissioner Benji Langley created the proposal, which among other . . . Complete story »
Wind-energy in Tennessee may provide lessons for Alabama
ANDERSON COUNTY, TENN. – Atop a 3,366-foot Appalachian ridge, wind bent the uppermost branches of the trees as the blades of 387-foot-tall wind turbines whirled above them Thursday. Against the blue, cloud-studded sky, the blades looked as if they were moving slowly. But the whoosh of wind as one turbine spun gave a clue to their true speed: about 150 mph, said David Dehart, a representative of the Tennessee Valley Authority, leading a tour of Buffalo Mountain, which is for now . . . Complete story »
Fuel cleanup relief funds might not be available to Cleburne County commissioners
HEFLIN – Cleburne County might be on the hook for more than $285,000 to clean up a suspected fuel leak that appears to be coming from the county equipment shed on Haley Road, the county engineer said Monday. That’s because the county might not be eligible to receive any funding from the Alabama Tank Trust Fund, which collects a per-gallon fee to help fund remediation and cleanup efforts, said County Administrator Steve Swafford during the commissioners’ work session. The county has . . . Complete story »
