Wind Power News: Kentucky
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Stockholders vote against leasing land for wind turbines – Company official says NextEra still interested in project
The Germantown Fair Company stockholders have voted against leasing land to a company proposing to erect wind turbines in Mason and Bracken counties. That information was confirmed late Tuesday afternoon by Jerry Tolle, who just ended his two-year tenure as president of the fair board on Friday. Tolle said the vote was taken during last Thursday’s stockholder meeting, but he didn’t have the exact vote count available when interviewed and deferred that question to LuAnn Asbury, secretary of the fair . . . Complete story »
Whitfield: renewable energy isn’t cheap
The Kentucky Congressman who chairs a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee says increasing federal subsidies for renewable sources of energy will not lower energy costs or help the economy. Republican Ed Whitfield says federal support for renewables has increased from $5 billion to $14 billion in the last three years… “The reason that solar and wind are not taking off is that they are too inexpensive and too inefficient,” he said. “Now having said that, I recognize that they have . . . Complete story »
Court split on amending zoning ordinance
A large crowd attended Tuesday’s Mason County Fiscal Court meeting to voice concerns to a proposed wind farm in the Germantown/Minerva area of the county. Discussion and questions about the project took an hour and half of the two and a half hour meeting. Bill Shugars, who has been the lead voice of opposition to the project, read a statement to the court in which he asked for a two mile setback from adjoining property lines for wind turbines. Currently, . . . Complete story »
Private meeting with land owners held Monday in Germantown about wind farm
A spokesperson for NextEra Energy Resources, a Florida-based company, confirmed recently that a study is currently under way to see if wind turbines would be feasible in Mason County, Mary Wells of NextEra said the study is in the very early stages and could or could not lead to the placement of wind turbines in Mason County. At least two test meteorological towers have been placed locally to test wind resources, Wells said. She said she wasn’t sure of the . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines discussion comes before Joint Planning Commission
Controversy continues over the possibility of wind turbines being erected in western Mason County. On Wednesday night, concerned citizens attended the regular monthly meeting of the Mason County Joint Planning Commission. In attendance was businessman Bill Shugars, with his wife and mother, and a second man, identified as Bruce Bellingham, according to Zoning Administrator Matt Wallingford. Although the subject of the proposed wind turbines was not on the official agenda for the meeting, comments are allowed on any subject during . . . Complete story »
Future of wind turbines discussed during Mason Fiscal Court
NextEra Energy Resources, a Florida-based company, began conducting studies last year to determine if wind turbines could be feasible in Mason and Bracken counties. Tuesday, representatives from NextEra Energy were in Mason County meeting with local officials in an attempt to answer questions about the project. Adam Rickel, project manager for NextEra was in attendance at the Mason County Fiscal Court meeting, which was also attended by several residents, represented by local businessman Bill Shugars. Before Rickel addressed the audience, . . . Complete story »
Could wind power be on the horizon?
Some people view them as evironmentally-friendly alternative fuel resources which could help the nation reach energy independence. Still others view them as ugly structures which mar the landscape and contribute to noise pollution. No matter the view, industrial wind turbines could become a part of the local scene over the next several years. A spokesperson for NextEra Energy Resources, a Florida-based company, confirmed recently that a study is currently under way to see if wind turbines would be feasible in . . . Complete story »
Public to be heard on forest plan
WOODSTOCK – Members of the public interested in commenting on the just-released draft forest plan for the George Washington National Forest will get a chance to speak during a June workshop at the Woodstock National Guard Armory. The U.S. Forest Service recently released the draft revision of the forest’s land and resource management plan from 1993. Seven alternatives for the draft environmental impact statement were chosen, according to Ken Landgraf, staff officer for planning and forest ecology for the Forest Service. . . . Complete story »
Proposals for National Forest draw questions
VERONA – The U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday night outlined the six proposals for management of George Washington National Forest that have divided conservationists, industry, localities and the public. The forest service is scheduled to decide on a comprehensive plan of action for the 1-million-acre forest in the next year. Because such plans only are revised every 10 to 15 years, comments have poured into the agency and questions still abounded from the crowd of more than 80 that turned out . . . Complete story »
In Kentucky, wind is for flying kites
Lexington, KY – Kentucky faces many barriers to the development of renewable energy, including the low cost of energy, lack of a state renewable energy standard, and a regulated utility structure that, by law, favors price without consideration of other renewable energy benefits. Principle among these barriers is a lack of understanding among our citizens and policy makers about the great potential of practical renewable energy development to create new industries and new jobs in Kentucky. It is unfortunate that . . . Complete story »
