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Wind Power News: Hawaii
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.
Controversial Kahuku wind farm subject of another court hearing
For the second time in as many months, the Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday heard oral arguments in a case that seeks to undermine the controversial Na Pua Makani wind farm in Kahuku. This time the high court heard an appeal from the environmental nonprofit group Life of the Land, which is seeking to invalidate the state Public Utilities Commission’s approval of an agreement between Hawaiian Electric Co. and the wind farm’s developers for the purchase of wind energy. Attorneys . . . Complete story »
Locals worry wind and solar will gobble up forests and farms
Massachusetts has installed solar panels faster than almost any other state as it seeks to reduce its carbon emissions. But some activists say the state’s transition to renewable energy has come at a cost. “We have big multinational solar companies coming and cutting down forests,” said Jane Winn, executive director of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, a nonprofit in the state. “They’re not doing a good job of it, so they’re allowing erosion into wetlands. We’re trying to connect our . . . Complete story »
Proposal seeks new buffer for wind farms, residents
A proposal to create a larger buffer zone between new wind turbine developments and neighboring properties was tabled by the Honolulu Planning Commission Wednesday pending further investigation into the matter. But commissioners seemed inclined to go with a smaller buffer zone than the 5 miles originally proposed by Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi and approved by the City Council Zoning Committee last year in the wake of the arrests and controversy involving a wind farm in Kahuku. That proposal, which targets utility-scale . . . Complete story »
Ige withdraws land board nominee Sam Gon
Gon’s position on the BLNR was at the center of a challenge to the Kahuku wind farm’s permit to kill bats. A community group argues that Gon improperly participated in voting on the plan. Complete story »
Hawaii Supreme Court hears appeal over Kahuku wind farm’s plan
The Hawaii Supreme Court heard oral arguments Thursday in a dispute that ultimately comes down to how many endangered Hawaiian hoary bats a Kahuku wind farm is allowed to kill. The controversial Na Pua Makani wind farm made headlines a couple of years ago when about 200 people were arrested trying to stop its massive turbine parts from being hauled from the port at Kalaeloa to Kahuku. Now the 24-megawatt project by Na Pua Makani Power Partners LLC is at . . . Complete story »
Kahuku wind farm case goes before Hawaii Supreme Court
The fate of dozens of endangered hoary bats was at the center of state Supreme Court arguments on Thursday in a case that could stall the operations of a controversial wind farm in Kahuku and raise the stakes for other renewable energy projects in Hawaii. The legal challenge was the latest manifestation of growing community opposition to the positioning of clean-energy projects, including the Na Pua Makani wind farm on Oahu’s North Shore and the Hu Honua bioenergy plant on . . . Complete story »
Federal study is underway to figure out cost of floating windfarm in Oahu waters
Floating windfarms can be found in Europe and are being talked about in places like California – and could be a reality in the Hawaiian Islands. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is studying how much would a floating windfarm cost in waters off Oahu. However, like the turbines on land, many in Hawaii say they won’t be welcome in Hawaii. “Looking at the beautiful ocean and beautiful Diamond Head and see ugly windmills in the middle of the ocean,” said . . . Complete story »
Hawaii wind farm to fund research after bat, petrel deaths
The operator of a Hawaii wind farm has agreed to fund research into their environmental practices after some endangered species were killed by their turbines. Kawailoa Wind agreed to pay $250,000 to research how their turbines have affected the Hawaiian hoary bat and other endangered species in the area, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Saturday. The agreement came after an unexpected amount of hoary bats were killed by Kawailoa’s turbines. Two Hawaiian petrels have also been found dead. Kawailoa has pledged . . . Complete story »
North Shore wind farm settlement offers added funding, protections for endangered species
The operator of the Kawailoa Wind farm in the hills above Waimea Bay has agreed to pay for greater protections for endangered species as part of a contested case hearing settlement announced Friday. The agreement calls for Kawailoa Wind LLC to fund $250,000 in research about the Hawaiian petrel on Oahu and to expand its search area for monitoring turbine impacts on the Hawaiian hoary bat and other endangered species, according to a joint statement issued by the company and . . . Complete story »
FBI seeks help finding vandals who damaged Kakuku wind farm 2 years ago
The FBI needs help finding vandals who damaged a controversial wind farm on Oahu’s North Shore in 2019. Nearly two years later, there are still no arrests. Now there is a renewed call for the public’s help. “We need their help. We need to solve this crime and bring these criminals to justice,” said FBI Special Agent Jason White. Back in 2019, dozens of protesters were arrested in an effort to stop the transport of windmill parts to Kahuku. Law . . . Complete story »
