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Wind Power News: Colorado
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.
US firm fined $8m after 150 eagles die at its wind farms
A US-based wind energy firm called ESI Energy, has been slapped with an $8m fine after at least 150 eagles died at its wind farms across eight states over the last 10 years. The company has also been given five years of probation. ESI Energy, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, has pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The company acknowledged the deaths of golden and bald eagles since 2012 at its farms in Wyoming, . . . Complete story »
Renewables company pleads guilty, must pay $8 million for wind-turbine deaths of 150 eagles
A renewable-energy company subsidiary pleaded guilty on federal criminal charges Tuesday and ordered to pay $8 million in fines and restitution for killing more than 150 eagles at wind farms in eight states. In addition ESI Energy, a subsidiary of renewables giant NextEra Energy, received five years of probation on three counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act stemming from the deaths of nine eagles in wind farms in Wyoming and New Mexico. Golden and bald eagles at 50 . . . Complete story »
Wind energy company kills 150 eagles in US, pleads guilty
A subsidiary of one of the largest U.S. providers of renewable energy pleaded guilty to criminal charges and was ordered to pay over $8 million in fines and restitution after at least 150 eagles were killed at its wind farms in eight states, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. NextEra Energy subsidiary ESI Energy was also sentenced to five years probation after being charged with three counts of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act during a court appearance in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The . . . Complete story »
Some changes suggested to draft wind turbine regulations
Logan County’s Planning Commission will be taking another look at its draft wind energy regulations. Several changes were suggested during a loosely-structured and occasionally heated public hearing Tuesday evening. Commission Chairman Dave Whitney opened the meeting by reading a statement, which he has submitted to the South Platte Sentinel and the Sterling Journal-Advocate as letters to the editor. In the statement, Whitney called for an indefinite moratorium on wind and solar projects in Logan County. He claimed that policies of . . . Complete story »
Commissioners extend moratorium for wind, power, transmission lines
Washington County Commissioners met Tuesday, January 25. Commissioner Tony Wells was absent from the meeting. Pastor Linda Hover of the Howard United Methodist Church opened the meeting with a prayer followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Teresa Traxler from the Department of Human Services gave the monthly report from the department. The minutes from the December 28 meeting, the payroll and vouchers were approved. Numbers were up slightly. The department is working on a few grant applications. They also received . . . Complete story »
As Xcel maps its “power pathway,” how close is too close to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site?
A major Xcel Energy power project could put up new transmission lines within view of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, sparking concerns among tribal leaders and park advocates that it could mar the site’s cultural and aesthetic character. Dubbed Colorado’s Power Pathway, the project would string lines and construct new substations across the Eastern Plains in a nearly $2 billion, 650-mile effort to bolster the state’s electric grid. Although a final route hasn’t been determined, park advocates contend . . . Complete story »
Moratorium on wind farm applications adopted
Phillips County commissioners have adopted a six-month moratorium on the processing of permits related to the construction of any wind farm system or facility within the county. The moratorium began Oct. 19 and will be in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 19, 2022, unless the commissioners find the six-month period too brief or too long, at which point it can be shortened or extended. In the resolution, the commissioners acknowledged that they support harmonized development of commercial projects in . . . Complete story »
Power companies’ plans to expand wind and solar on the Eastern Plains meets local headwinds
For years, Lacie Harman has watched wind turbines inch closer to her home on Colorado’s Eastern Plains. The white towers now dot the prairie from Limon north to the Wyoming border but have skipped over Washington County, where her family has farmed and ranched for five generations. Harman is trying to keep it that way. Earlier this year, she founded a nonprofit called Sacred Horizons to push for strict regulations on renewable energy development east of Colorado’s Front Range. The . . . Complete story »
Points to ponder for the public
A 2.5 megawatt tower, operating at a 40% efficiency rate, can generate a revenue of approximately $640,000 per year at $0.07 cents per kilowatt. In Washington County, the current building permit for an entire wind farm is under $1,000. A new building permit schedule of .02% of the cost each tower has been proposed, paid for by the wind companies. The moratorium needs to be extended long enough to implement this new building permit schedule. If it is not, wind . . . Complete story »
Moratorium for solar, wind and transmission lines extended once again
Washington County Commissioners met Tuesday, September 28 at the Event Center, as they continued their public meeting on the wind, solar and transmission lines debate. Less than 100 people were present. Pastor James Glisan opened the meeting with a scripture reading and a prayer, followed by the “Pledge of Allegiance.” The Department of Human Services presented their monthly report. The minutes of August 31 and the payroll and vouchers were approved. Pam McKay said there were nine referrals during the . . . Complete story »
