Wind Power News: Kansas
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.
RWE rep intimates that wind turbines are all but inevitable
People in opposition to wind turbines being located in close proximity to residents of Labette County watched Tuesday night as their fight was seemingly turned into a simple formality for RWE Renewables, which plans to build a wind energy complex in the county just west of Altamont. Speakers on a variety of topics presented much of the same information as they have before but to new audience members gathered in the Labette County High School cafeteria. Among those present were . . . Complete story »
Motion for wind farm moratorium fails again
Labette County Commissioner Lonie Addis again tried to put a pause on a potential wind energy development, but as expected he was alone on the issue. During a regular meeting on Monday morning, Addis moved that the commission impose an 18-month moratorium on wind energy in the county. “It’s the most important thing I’ve ever dealt with as a county commissioner,” Addis said. Addis has been a county commissioner since 1983. The motion died for a lack of a second . . . Complete story »
Commissioners consider solar, wind farm regulations
Leavenworth County commissioners could implement regulations for commercial solar and wind energy farms. Commissioners discussed proposed regulations during a work session last week. No formal vote was taken. Commissioners seemed ready to move forward with regulations for solar farms. But developing regulations for wind farms may take longer. One commissioner, Mike Stieben, believes commercial wind farms should not be allowed in the county. “I personally think we should prohibit them,” he said. Commission Chairman Mike Smith said he believes regulations . . . Complete story »
County, Apex to inspect damaged roads
ERIE – Neosho County officials, an engineer, and a representative of wind farm developer Apex Clean Energy will tour roads in the Neosho Ridge Wind project area to view damage to county roads. Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown, County Counselor Seth Jones, engineer Tanner Yost with the firm Kirkham Michael, and Chris Weatherford of Apex will tour the area covered in the county’s Road Use Agreement with Apex. Yost said he reviewed the area and submitted a report June . . . Complete story »
County hears request for wind energy moratorium
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Monday heard another request for a moratorium on wind farm development to allow further study. Commissioners will take up the request next week but two commissioners didn’t appear to support it. So far, several requests for a moratorium on wind development have failed. Commissioners Brian Kinzie and Cole Proehl both have voted no while Commissioner Lonie Addis voted yes on the requests. Josh Ghering, who lives in Kinzie’s commission district but outside of the proposed . . . Complete story »
Concerned residents continue wind farm discussion
MOUND VALLEY – As RWE Renewables considers harvesting wind in Labette County, residents who would live in the proposed wind farm footprint are concerned how wind turbines will impact their health and livestock, among other issues. Labette County residents expressed concerns Tuesday evening at the Mound Valley Community Center. RWE is proposing a 50 to 75 turbine development between Douglas and Meade roads and 19000 and 8000 roads in western Labette County. Mound Valley is within that footprint. Lonie Addis, Labette . . . Complete story »
Wind energy development caused millions in road damage
MOUND VALLEY – A road use agreement between Neosho County and wind developer Apex Clean Energy did not keep roads from sustaining millions of dollars in damage and the developer has not repaired them, persons attending Tuesday’s wind development meeting at the Mound Valley Community Center heard. A report from engineering firm Kirkham and Michael, hired by Neosho County to evaluate roads after construction of the Neosho Ridge Wind project, found $4,960,464 in damage to roads in the project footprint. The . . . Complete story »
Wind farm developer tells Washington commissioners about plans for project
Developers with NextEra, a renewable energy developer, recently met with the Washington County Board of County Commissioners to share information on a wind farm development project in the western part of Washington County. The developers said this is a “very large” 600-megawatt project with 201 turbines across Republic and Washington counties. [rest of article available at source] Complete story »
Edna mayor seeks wind farm moratorium; two commissioners stay silent
OSWEGO – The mayor of Edna asked Labette County commissioners on Monday to approve a resolution that would restrict construction of an industrial wind complex in the county for three years and within three miles of any school or incorporated city. The commission took no action. Sam Vail brought the proposed resolution with him Monday. The resolution as proposed would restrict the use of county resources in the construction of a wind project within a year; restrict an industrial wind project . . . Complete story »
Taxpayer blasts county
Lloyd Meier minced no words when he gave two county commissioners a piece of his mind Monday. On his list of irritations were road repair money owed to the county by Diamond Vista wind farm in the northern portion of the county and money lost on a covered fishing dock at the county lake. His comments about road money were pointed at commission chairman Randy Dallke. “Six weeks ago, that wind farm up at Tampa said they had a check . . . Complete story »
