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.
County votes to rescind wind farm resolution
OSWEGO – After two closed sessions for discussions with their attorney, Labette County commissioners on Monday voted to rescind an April 30 resolution that set negotiating terms with a German utility. The closed sessions totaled 45 minutes at the end of a meeting that featured another dust-up between two commissioners over wind development. RWE Renewables is looking to develop a portion of western Labette County for a wind energy project. The development encompasses 19000 Road south to 8000 Road and Douglas . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine collapses overnight in Elk County
A wind turbine has collapsed in Elk County. It happened sometime overnight at the Caney River Wind Farm. The Elk County Sheriff’s Office confirms to KAKE News that the turbine had previously been damaged, but finally collapsed sometime overnight as strong winds moved through the area. KAKE has reached out to the operator of the wind farm and are waiting for a response. Viewer Terry Till of Grenola sent these photos into KAKE. Complete story »
Public hearing set on the proposed regulations banning wind in zoned portions of Reno County
The Reno County Planning Commission agreed Tuesday to set a Nov. 18 public hearing on proposed changes to both the county’s Comprehensive Plan and its zoning regulations to prohibit commercial wind development in the zoned portions of the county. Also to be taken up at that meeting will be a proposal to create an overlay district for the remaining non-zoned portions of the county that would enable the county to regulate wind in those un-zoned areas in the future. The . . . Complete story »
In addition to its large solar project, NextEra is considering a wind farm for southwest Douglas County, parts of Franklin County
The same energy firm proposing to build a 3,000-acre solar farm in southeast Douglas County also is exploring the feasibility of building a large wind turbine farm in southwest Douglas County, I’ve confirmed. Florida-based NextEra Energy has begun reaching out to large landowners in southwest Douglas County and northwest Franklin County about a project dubbed the Larksong Wind Energy Center. “We are just gathering interest to see if we can even develop the area,” said Ryan Fullerton, who is contacting . . . Complete story »
Two commissioners silent on citizen request to stop talking with RWE
OSWEGO – Voters of the 2nd District in Labette County on Tuesday requested the county commission end all communication with RWE Renewables, the German utility company looking to develop a wind farm in the county, until after the recall election, but commissioners did not move forward with the request. Chairman Lonie Addis entertained a motion to suspend all communication with the company following rural Parsons resident Dana Eggers’ presentation to commissioners during public comment, but the motion died for lack of . . . Complete story »
‘Ready to go to war’: Wind power grows in Kansas and Missouri. Why do some oppose it?
Public officials are fond of pointing out that all of Kansas City International Airport’s electricity is now generated from wind – namely the Cimarron Bend wind farm in Clark County, in far western Kansas. But as wind power development grows across Kansas and Missouri, not everyone is happy. About an hour’s drive north of Kansas City, the Osborn Wind Project has divided neighbors since its 2017 opening. Here, one hears the familiar arguments about wind towers: Some call them eyesores, and . . . Complete story »
When wind developments conflict with wildlife and protected areas
Can protections for wildlife coexist with industrial wind turbines? Apparently not in Kansas. In 2017, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism published siting guidelines for wind energy conversion systems in Kansas. The guidelines warn developers away from state wildlife areas, the Tall Grass Heartland, migration corridors, wetlands, zones of wildlife concentration, and – above all – from native prairie. “The agency considers it critically important to protect the integrity of remaining intact prairie habitats in Kansas,” the guidelines state, repeating . . . Complete story »
Could a wind farm be located over the Equus Beds?
Gina Bell, director of the Harvey County Planning and Zoning Department, brought forth a concern Sept. 21 with a wind farm that is being considered for Harvey County. Bell notified The Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2, what was referred to as GMD2 in the commission, that the wind energy project may be considering construction over the Equus Beds. “You really need to think about the water and the safety of the water supply,” Bell said. “… We want . . . Complete story »
Reno Commission approves moratorium on wind, to consider development ban in zoned areas
The Reno County Commission agreed in a surprise move Tuesday to issue a moratorium on the development of commercial wind farms in Reno County through the end of the year and look at banning them in the zoned areas of the county. In a pair of motions Commission Chairman Ron Hirst introduced, the board also directed the county planning commission and planning staff to draft regulations creating an overlay zone to regulate wind development in unzoned parts of the county. . . . Complete story »
Harvey County could be site of wind farm
A wind energy farm could be coming to Harvey County – though the project is, at this time, in its very early stages. Fiona Bagwell. Renewable energy officer for NextEra Energy, approached the Harvey County Commission on Tuesday to inform them the company is beginning analysis of Harvey County. “We are looking at an opportunity for a wind project in Harvey County,” Bagwell said. The size, scope and location of the project are not known. “Wind and solar projects of this . . . Complete story »
