Wind Power News: Connecticut
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.
New London and Connecticut Port Authority again at odds on funding
Mayor Michael Passero has been frustrated about New London being sidelined from discussions surrounding the $157 million development of State Pier into an offshore wind hub and a lack of a substantial state funding commitment to offset costs of hosting a massive offshore wind facility that does not pay taxes. State Pier is located on land formerly owned by the state and recently transferred to the Connecticut Port Authority. Tenants at State Pier, including two commercial fishing outfits, are being displaced to make way for the start of construction. Complete story »
Neighbors escalate legal fight against 646-foot wind turbine approved without public hearing
Neighbors of a proposed 646-foot-tall wind turbine on a northwestern Connecticut hilltop are escalating their legal fight against the project they claim is dangerously close to them and was unlawfully approved by the Connecticut Siting Council in March. Property owners and environmental activists filed a formal petition Monday with the council seeking a “declaratory ruling” under which the agency would, in effect, admit it acted illegally in March – when, without a public hearing, it approved a request from BNE Energy . . . Complete story »
In New York and New England, wind energy projects are “like siting landfills. Nobody wants them.”
The politics of renewable energy can be seen as left versus right. But when it comes to siting large renewable-energy projects, the divide is increasingly about rich versus poor. “Wind developers don’t target the tony communities, like near Hillary Clinton’s house in Chappaqua, or Westchester County,” says Joni Riggle, a resident of Chautauqua County, who opposes the Cassadaga project. “The people who live in those places have the financial clout to fight Big Wind.” Complete story »
Portion of New England offshore wind could be curtailed by 2030: ISO
ISO New England analysis made public Wednesday estimated about 10% of the total 2030 offshore wind power portfolio connected into southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island would be “spilled,” or curtailed, under certain assumptions due to transmission constraints and a glut of supply. Transmission developer Anbaric requested ISO-NE perform a study reviewing the impact on energy market prices, air emissions and regional fuel security of three offshore wind power scenarios for target year 2030: 8,000 MW, 10,000 MW and 12,000 MW. An ISO-NE presentation . . . Complete story »
Family fights turbine turmoil
The low-profile but high-powered Connecticut Siting Council wields heavy statewide authority to approve energy and telecommunications projects in municipalities without having to abide by local zoning. It’s had this extraordinary ability since its 1972 creation by legislators convinced that town-by-town restrictions were stalling expansion of the region’s electric grid. But such broad discretion has a flip side: Sometimes people living near council-approved projects say they’re being stepped on. This is one of those times. Here’s what’s happened in recent weeks: . . . Complete story »
New England fishing groups wary of rapid offshore wind development plans
As offshore wind moves up the coast of New England, efforts are underway to make sure the region’s fishing interests have a seat at the table early in project development. An alliance of industry and academic stakeholders is promoting the need for research and best practices as offshore wind takes hold in waters where fishing has long been an economic anchor. Fishing groups have several concerns about the potential for boating obstacles and ecological impacts. A dearth of research makes . . . Complete story »
Connecticut Port Authority planned a dual-use State Pier, until it didn’t
Logistec, a Canadian-based shipping terminal operator that works in 34 North American ports, managed and grew the cargo business at New London’s State Pier for 20 years, with a peak of 400,000 metric tons of cargo and 33 ship calls in 2018. But by the end of 2018, Logistec was sent packing, rejected in a competitive bid process by the Connecticut Port Authority, which chose instead the operator of New London’s closest competitor, the privately owned Gateway Terminal of New . . . Complete story »
Passero still is sweating details of Lamont’s bad wind deal
I don’t ever remember a moment, while listening to a Connecticut politician, more cringeworthy than when Gov. Ned Lamont declared, after signing a blank check last week to rebuild State Pier for a Danish utility, that New London might become the “Saudi Arabia of wind power.” I’ll set aside the obvious insult to Democratic ideals here, aspiring to emulate a totalitarian monarchy that disrespects women. It’s offensive, even in jest. Maybe Lamont likes the Saudis for the way they are . . . Complete story »
Connecticut Port Authority approves revised wind energy plan for State Pier in New London
When the meeting began, board chair David Kooris began the roll call. At the same time, Kevin Blacker, of Noank, stood and addressed the board, stating that he wouldn’t leave until forcibly removed. “I am protesting the Connecticut Port Authority, their repeated breaking of the law, exclusion of the public, secretive dealing and I’m not leaving the floor until I’m arrested and in handcuffs,” Blacker said. “I’ll just continue to stand here and disrupt this meeting until that time, as you have repeatedly broken the law, over and over and over and this is what it has come to.” Complete story »
Lamont signs New London harbor deal as quasi-public debate heats up
While Gov. Ned Lamont announced a landmark deal Tuesday to develop New London harbor and an offshore wind center, the partisan battle over Connecticut’s quasi-publics – including the entity overseeing this project – intensified. Lamont announced Eversource and its Denmark-based partner, Ørsted North America, will transform New London into the green energy capital of the Northeast as part of a deal unanimously ratified by the Connecticut Port Authority’s oversight board. A few hours earlier, though, Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, . . . Complete story »
