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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Lawyer asks to represent both sides
A lawyer hired by the county commission to represent the county’s interests in a wind farm project sent an email to county commissioners asking if he could also represent potential investors in the Diamond Vista wind farm project. Pat Hughes, with Adams Jones Law Firm in Wichita, was hired to make sure the county doesn’t end up with out-of-pocket expenses years down the road when the turbines are shut off, taken down, and hauled away. His email was sent directly . . . Complete story »
Wind farms pollute prairie landscape of Maxwell refuge
Once, when on a trip to Alaska, our naturalist guide, after seeing all the wonders of Alaska, challenged us upon returning to our homes to look for the natural beauty in our own states. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge is just such a place. Civilization can scarcely be seen from parts of the refuge, making me think that this is the way the prairie looked when my great-grandfather immigrated to the Smoky Hills region in 1864. However, this refuge is threatened by . . . Complete story »
Wind farms away
Located in the heart of the Central Flyway for migratory birds, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in McPherson County is now threatened by possible wind farms. Home to an almost pristine native prairie, this refuge might soon be ringed by 300-foot wind turbines. Needless to say, the visual impact on this natural and historic site would be detrimental. This refuge was given to the people of Kansas to be a permanent reminder of the way Kansas was. Thousands of people from around . . . Complete story »
Riley County commissioners discuss the fate of costly wind turbines
If you live in Riley County, the wind turbines, that are meant to bring you savings are actually costing you more tax dollars than county officials would like. That’s why county commissioners are trying to decide the fate of the four turbines. The grants that were paying for the turbines and their up keep have expired and now any work that needs to be done to the turbines, will strictly come out of Riley County residents wallets. Officials at Riley . . . Complete story »
Breaking wind: County should abandon turbine experiment
Riley County’s wind turbine conundrum has shown itself to be a great example of the notion that nothing is free. The county government installed turbines in 2011 through a federal grant meant to encourage Kansas communities to use renewable energy. The grant covered the cost of the turbines as well as a five-year maintenance plan, but that money has since run out. Now the county faces a hefty bill to continue repairing the machines – or a hefty bill to take . . . Complete story »
County searching for wind turbine solution
Officials are trying to figure out what to do with three wind turbines that generate some savings but could require hefty repairs in the future. Riley County commissioners on Monday asked Leon Hobson, public works director, to look for companies in the region that can provide maintenance bids for the largest of three turbines at the public works grounds north of Manhattan. Commissioners want to get rid of the other two, but are hoping to find people or companies who . . . Complete story »
China-based company eying Barton for wind project
Barton County Zoning Administrator Judy Goreham met with U.S. representatives from Chinese power company State Power Investment Corporation Thursday afternoon at the Barton County Courthouse who expressed interest in developing wind energy in northern Barton County. The message they received was Barton County is supportive of wind energy development, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the migratory activity at Cheyenne Bottoms and along the Central Flyway. Because of the area’s proximity to Cheyenne Bottoms and the Central Flyway, and . . . Complete story »
Maxwell manager wasn’t informed about wind farm
To quote your recent article, “Winds of Change,” it states: “Johnna Guinty, vice president of marketing for Tradewind Energy, Inc., the Kansas-based developer of the Diamond Vista wind farm, said his company worked closely with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and managers of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge.” I have been the manager of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge since July 1984 and I have never been contacted by Johnna Guinty (never even heard the name before), Tradewind Energy, Enel Green . . . Complete story »
Friends group worries turbines could affect Maxwell refuge
The Friends of Maxwell, an organization made up of people who support the 2,800-acre Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in McPherson County, are not opposed to wind energy and its value to the environment as well as the economy of Kansas. But when an energy company proposes building gigantic turbines within eight miles of the refuge’s idyllic site, members become concerned. That’s the situation with the $400 million, 300-megawatt Diamond Vista Wind Farm, under construction in Dickinson and Marion counties. Developers say . . . Complete story »
County Commissioners delay issue of changing wording of regulations until their next meeting by a vote of 6-4
Last week, the Sumner County Commission made public its proposal to change the county’s regulations to give the three Commissioners the sole authority to decide whether to grant a conditional use permit. Jerry Hawkins is the attorney for a group of landowners who filed an action to appeal the County’s decision approving a conditional use application by Invenergy, a developer which wanted to build a controversial commercial wind farm in northern Sumner County. “People may not think about the importance . . . Complete story »
