Wind Power News: Iowa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Another view on turbine issue
Finally! A local farmer with the chutzpah to defend wind! I applaud Mr. Kirksey for putting his “mouth where his money is!” (Did I get it backward?) But, most importantly, this gives me another opportunity to expose the fallacy that wind is “clean” energy when, after all the hoopla, is merely a tax dodge for the Warren Buffets of the world! Don’t believe me? In his own words “The only reason I invest in wind is for tax purposes.” He, . . .
Battle lines widen as plans progress for high-powered transmission line between Madison and Iowa
Battle lines are widening as the prospective paths narrow for a proposed high-powered transmission line through southwestern Wisconsin. Developers of the planned Cardinal-Hickory Creek transmission line from the Madison area to Iowa have shrunk the two corridors under consideration. Previously mile-wide swaths, the paths have been pared to 300 feet across and are being identified as “preliminary” routes, up for government analysis. American Transmission Co., of Pewaukee; ITC Midwest, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Dairyland Power Cooperative, of La Crosse, . . .
Clay County residents, coalition members host lectures about turbines
Citizens and interested parties from across Clay County attended a lecture which centered around industrial wind turbines Monday night. Terry McGovern was the speaker for the event, and will give the lecture a second time in Emmetsburg at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the VFW Post on Main St. The lecture is entitled: “The trade-offs of wind energy” and was organized by independent citizens of Clay County and by members of the Rural Coalition for Property Rights. McGovern explained that his . . .
Notice to adjoining property owners
A petition for a conditional use has been filed by Upland Prairie LLC c/o Apex Clean Energy and participating landowners within the project area. The request is to construct 47 Wind Energy Conversion Systems and 2 permanent meteorological towers in the A-1 Agricultural District allowed only as a conditional use in sections 07-09, 15-23, 25-35, Westport Township, Dickinson County, Iowa, and in sections 28-32, Okoboji Township, Dickinson County, Iowa. A public hearing will be held by the Dickinson County Board . . .
Are four wind-turbine failures in five weeks too many for NextEra Energy?
The business of wind generation is less than breezy these days for clean-energy producer NextEra Energy Resources. In Saginaw County, Mich., in late June, a blade on a 160-ft turbine snapped and was left dangling from its rotor (ENR 7/10 p. 4). The turbine is one of 75 at the 120-megawatt Tuscola Bay Wind Energy Center. Earlier in June at the Steele Flats wind farm in Nebraska, one of 44 turbines collapsed. On June 5, a 2.5-megawatt turbine at the . . .
Invenergy close to filing for permit
Mark Zaccone, Contractor in Business Development for Invenergy, was on hand, giving the Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors and update on the Palo Alto County Wind Project during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 11. Joe Neary, Palo Alto County Zoning Administrator and Dean Gunderson, Palo Alto County Zoning Board also attended Tuesday morning’s meeting. “Mark Zaccone has been informed me that Invenergy intends to submit their sight plan and permit application,” Neary began. “This is our intended timeline,” . . .
Company addresses concerns about proposed wind farm
Thursday is the last day for public comment on a proposed wind farm that would stretch from southeast Minnesota across the border into Iowa. Illinois-based company, Invenergy, is planning on a project called the Freeborn Wind Farm; a total of 100 turbines will be going up. The cost of the project is around $300 million and will produce approximately 200 megawatts – which would power up to 70,000 homes. Farmers will be getting $10,000 per year for each turbine on . . .
MidAmerican must refile PTC request for refurbished turbines
Iowa regulators sided with consumer groups by refusing to grant MidAmerican Energy Co. an exemption from a tariff that would let the utility keep federal production tax credit revenue related to plans to re-power 706 older wind turbines. In a written order issued Friday, the Iowa Utilities Board agreed with the state Office of Consumer Advocate, part of the Iowa Department of Justice, and technology companies Facebook and Google, all of which challenged MidAmerican’s request on procedural grounds (Energywire, June . . .
Public comment deadline looms for proposed wind farm
Thursday, July 6 is the deadline for public comment on a proposed wind farm in southeast Minnesota and north Iowa. An Illinois company, Invenergy, plans to put up 100 wind turbines between Freeborn County, Minnesota and Worth County, Iowa. Some residents in Freeborn County are considered non-participants, meaning they won’t get money. Those residents who are opposed to the project said it would drive down property prices. They could also be losing over-the-air TV and radio signals. “It is in . . .
Causes of turbine failures remain a mystery
NextEra Energy, owner of the Steele Flats wind farm in southern Nebraska, has suffered at least four wind turbine calamities in recent weeks, including broken blades, a fire and a collapse. Steven Stengel, a spokesman for the Juno Beach, Florida-based energy company, said the incidents are under investigation in cooperation with the turbine manufacturers, but it could be weeks or months before they figure out causes. No injuries were reported because of the failures. “We have roughly 10,000 wind turbines . . .
