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.
Military training routes halt wind farm efforts
While Washington County is no longer a major part of the formerly named “Washington-Republic Wind Farm,” NextEra Energy Resources project manager Dan Scheffler said the Florida-based company is still evaluating Washington County for wind energy development. In the process of completing their due diligence for the original Washington-Republic project, which was first announced back in 2016, Scheffler said they found out there were conflicts with the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense because of military training routes in the . . . Complete story »
County discusses potential wind farm
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Monday afternoon met for an hour with a German utility representative whose company is interested in developing a wind farm in Labette County. After the session, commissioners agreed to meet again soon to discuss scheduling and organizing a meeting to hear from the public its views on the potential for developing a 50- to 75-turbine wind farm in western Labette County. The wind farm would generate between 200 and 250 megawatts of power and connect . . . Complete story »
County wind debate has stuttering start
There didn’t appear to be a lot of agreement Tuesday evening as the Reno County Commission took a first look at proposed wind energy regulations forwarded to it by the county’s planning board – starting with how to proceed in reviewing them. County Commission Chairman Ron Hirst proposed that the board walk through the 14-page document a paragraph at a time and discuss proposed changes – of which he offered several. Commissioner Ron Sellers indicated he wanted to familiarize himself . . . Complete story »
NextEra renews interest in Republic County wind farm
A wind farm project first proposed in Republic County four years ago has picked up speed. Dan Scheffler, lead project manager for NextEra Energy Resources in Kansas and Missouri, told Republic County Commissioners on Jan. 11 that the company has representatives in eastern Republic County gauging landowner interest in a 600 megawatt wind farm, transmission line, and substation. “We’re a little more bullish on this project, because we have access to transmission (line),” Scheffler told the board. The company’s first . . . Complete story »
To expand solar and wind energy, Kansas needs a state energy plan, lawmaker says
As Mark Schreiber drove the northeast backroads of Emporia, a place he’s represented in the Kansas House for the past four years, he talked fondly of his time working for Westar Energy and the many changes he’s seen in renewable energy since wind turbines were first introduced to the state. Now the vice-chair of the house committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Schreiber, a Republican, sees a distinct need for guidance if renewable energy is going to continue growing in . . . Complete story »
County still being considered for wind farm
NextEra Energy Resources is still considering a wind farm project in Washington County, but the wind farm company is still gathering information. “We are in the early stages of developing a wind project in the area,” said senior communication specialist Conlan Kennedy. “We are evaluating both Republic and Washington Counties for this project, but we have not finalized an exact location at this time. We are currently assessing the land and wind resources in the area and speaking with community . . . Complete story »
How a group of Kansas researchers’ plan to make U.S.’s rural communities more viable
A group of Kansas researchers believe they have a solution that will help rural communities thrive, simply by helping them optimize how they use their community’s already abundant wind energy opportunities. The projects will create “cheaper energy” that can be used to treat water and maintain agricultural systems, while building on the region’s current use of wind energy. Rural revitalization has long been a political talking point, as politicians on both sides of the aisle have developed plans to assist . . . Complete story »
County readies for wind farm meetings
OSWEGO – Labette County commissioners on Monday discussed setting up work sessions or just visiting on normal meeting days to discuss the wind farm issue and the recommendations from a panel charged with researching wind energy. The brief discussion occurred during the first meeting for 2nd District Commissioner Brian Kinzie, who was sworn in Monday along with other elected officials. Commissioner Cole Proehl began serving his elected term on Monday as well. He’s been on the commission since late last year . . . Complete story »
Commissioners approve wind farm site plan
The Irish Creek Wind Project site plan gained approval from Marshall County commissioners Monday. NextEra Energy, Juno Beach, Fla., did not act on requests from landowners for turbines to be moved farther from their residences before the plan was OK’d. Commissioners Barb Kickhaefer and Keith Bramhall voted in favor of approving the site plan. Commissioner Tom Holle was absent. Holle will leave office next week when the new District 2 commissioner, Fritz Blaske, Blue Rapids, is sworn in at Monday’s . . . Complete story »
Wind panel to write reports for county commission
The panel charged with researching wind energy in Labette County, in its final meeting Monday, spent most of the meeting in closed session with an attorney. After the two closed sessions, which lasted 35 minutes total, one committee member discussed his views on zoning specific to wind farms before the meeting adjourned. Other than that, no action followed the closed sessions. Initially, the committee wanted to discuss its recommendations to the county commission with one another in closed session, which . . . Complete story »
