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Wind Power News: Arkansas
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.
Wind-farm moratorium on agenda for JPs
The Carroll County Quorum Court is expected to consider a proposed ordinance at its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 21, that would establish a temporary moratorium on the construction of industrial wind or solar energy facilities in the county. The proposed ordinance, sponsored by District 2 Justice of the Peace Bruce Wright and District 7 JP Kellie Matt, comes after months of debate over Scout Clean Energy’s planned “Nimbus Projected” near Green Forest. Scout, based in Boulder, Colo., plans for the . . . Complete story »
‘Wind farm’ opponents keep up fight
As has been the case for the past several months, a steady stream of citizens turned out for the Oct. 17 meeting of the Carroll County Quorum Court to speak about Scout Clean Energy’s plans to construct a “wind farm” near Green Forest. Speaking during the portion of the meeting set aside for public comments, several individuals repeated their concerns about the project, which opponents say poses significant risks to the health and safety of animals and humans as well . . . Complete story »
Wind project causing a stir
A “wind farm” planned for eastern Carroll County continued to be a topic of discussion at the county quorum court’s regular meeting on Tuesday, July 18. Scout, based in Boulder, Colo., plans for the Nimbus project to expand over approximately 9,000 acres – about 14 square miles – in Carroll County, much of it along County Road 905 southeast of Green Forest. Scout says the project could generate up to 180 megawatts of electricity at peak demand – enough to power almost 30,000 . . . Complete story »
Wind facility opponent fears health impacts and lower property values
Caroline Rogers, who lives on County Road 905, disagrees that there is nothing Carroll County Judge David Winter can do to stop the proposed 180-megawatt Nimbus Wind Facility she believes would surround her with three wind turbines that could be 500 feet tall. Rogers said the county could refuse to let the private company make changes necessary to transport the huge components on CR 905 near the steep mountain ridges that Scout Clean Energy said has plenty of wind for . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines could be ‘at least’ 500 feet tall
Scout Clean Energy, which said it has obtained leases from private landowner to build a $300-million Nimbus Wind Facility off County Road (CR) 905 near Green Forest, wrote in an email to the Independent on March 21 that the 43 wind turbines planned would be “at least” 500 feet tall depending on the final turbine selection. “Along with turbine type, the blade lengths can vary and we have not selected the turbine model for the project yet,” Nimbus Wind Facility . . . Complete story »
Previous victory indicates hope for wind turbine opponents
Opponents of the $300-million Nimbus Wind Facility, proposed by Scout Clean Energy, have been told there is no regulatory avenue for stopping the construction of 43 wind turbines at least 500-feet tall near County Road (CR) 905 south of Green Forest. Scout has said it has leases from willing landowners to build the facility that would generate 180-megawatts of energy. Scout said the company doesn’t need any permits from the Arkansas Public Service Commission for the project because state law . . . Complete story »
More energy questions
Former Carroll County Judge E. Richard Williams, who lives on County Road 905, has questioned the lack of public notice for a project that would change this rural hilltop region from a quiet agricultural area into what he sees as a major industrial blight. Williams said he only learned about Nimbus about a month ago when a neighbor told him she was asked about leasing an area to Scout for the project. “Why all the secrecy?” Williams asked. “If I . . . Complete story »
Pros and cons deliberated at energy open house
Scout Clean Energy’s public information session on April 11 attracted protesters holding signs indicating concerns about the proposed Nimbus Wind Facility that Scout says will include 43 wind turbines more than 500 feet tall on hilltop areas along County Roads 905 and 920 near Green Forest. Supporters of the project included landowners who have leased to Scout for the proposed $300-million Nimbus Wind Facility that would produce 180-megawatts of energy. Opponents complained that the meeting was not what they expected, . . . Complete story »
What about habitat damage?
On April 6, 2023, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission produced documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act request, which sought information related to Scout Energy’s Nimbus Wind Farm Project. Being good public servants, the AG&F adhered to the Arkansas Sunshine Law and shed light on what has been a seemingly opaque endeavor thus far. The following excerpt from a Scout Energy–Fish&Wildlife Service (FWS) meeting on September 27, 2018, is illuminative, and somewhat surprising: “All signed leases are . . . Complete story »
Tension over wind turbines fills Carroll County, Ark. meeting
Many citizens in Carroll County, Ark. are debating a potential project surrounding wind turbines. Both sides spoke their minds at quorum court at the Carroll County Courthouse Tuesday night. In Arkansas, quorum court is the legislative body of county government, much like county commissions here in Missouri. Dozens of people filled the room, even spilling out into the hallway. County Judge David Writer limited the crowd to five speakers on either side. One major concern among citizens like Richard Williams . . . Complete story »
