Wind Power News: Arkansas
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.
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 »
Wind farm project in Carroll County stirs up opposition
Berryville – An opponent to a wind farm in eastern Carroll County will speak at Tuesday night’s Quorum Court meeting even though there is little county government could do to stop the project, both opponents and a county government official said. Scout Clean Energy of Boulder, Colo., intends to erect wind turbines at various sites among 9,000 acres – about 14 square miles – south of Green Forest and west of Alpena, according to information posted by the company. The completed project would . . . Complete story »
Wind farm fraudsters told to pay $1.1M
FAYETTEVILLE – Two men convicted of defrauding investors in a failed Elm Springs wind farm project and the development of a wind turbine that was never built were sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution Tuesday. Jody Douglas Davis and Phillip Vincent Ridings were charged with nine counts of wire fraud, aiding and abetting wire fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting money laundering. A federal jury found both men guilty on all counts . . . Complete story »
Springdale man sentenced for role in Elm Springs wind farm fraud
FAYETTEVILLE – A Springdale man was sentenced to federal prison Friday after he testified in the fraud trial of two associates related to a failed wind farm project in Elm Springs. Cody Fell, who worked at Dragonfly International for a time, pleaded guilty to federal wire-fraud and tax-evasion charges in December 2018. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced Fell to 10 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, and ordered Fell to pay $422,330 restitution. Fell was . . . Complete story »
