Wind Power News: Massachusetts
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.
New site proposed for Wind 2 at wastewater treatment plant
Stephen Wiehe of Weston & Sampson has proposed moving one of the town’s turbines, Wind 2, to another location on the wastewater treatment plant site. “Both Wind 1 and Wind 2 could be relocated out of town, but only Wind 2 could be relocated within town,” Mr. Wiehe said at the board of selectmen’s meeting on Monday, October 15. The proposed relocation of Wind 2 is set back further on the wastewater treatment facility site, approximately 2,400 feet from its . . . Complete story »
Options available for Wind 2’s continued operation
Selectmen were presented with an option Monday that could bring one of the town’s two municipal wind turbines back into operation further from abutters on Blacksmith Shop Road. A Barnstable Superior Court judge ordered both turbines be shut down in June 2017, prompting selectmen to evaluate options for what to do with the two structures, known as Wind 1 and Wind 2. The order to shut down the structures was made on the grounds that they constituted a nuisance to . . . Complete story »
Report: Moving disputed Falmouth turbine would cost $3M
FALMOUTH – One of the two wind turbines under a court order never to operate at their current spot may spin again on the wastewater treatment plant property, a little less than a half mile north from where it now stands. Accomplishing the move, however, would cost the town just over $3 million and isn’t likely to appease critics of the turbine’s current location. Weston and Sampson engineers were hired by selectmen to consider the possibility of relocating Wind II on . . . Complete story »
What’s next for Falmouth turbines?
FALMOUTH – On Monday, the public will get a glimpse of what the future holds for two 400-foot wind turbines that have stood silent and unused since a Barnstable Superior Court judge ordered them to never again operate at their wastewater treatment plant location 18 months ago. One turbine won’t be allowed to operate again in town, but the second may one day spin on some other local property. Weston and Sampson, engineers hired by the town to look at logistics . . . Complete story »
Barnstable enters host agreement with Vineyard Wind; Covell’s Beach is favored cable landfall site
Vineyard Wind has agreed to pay the town of Barnstable up to $16 million plus taxes over the next 25 years for the rights to land transmission cables for its offshore wind farm at Covell’s Beach. Town Manager Mark Ells signed a Host Community Agreement with Vineyard Wind on Oct. 3. Vineyard Wind plans to build the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind farm in federal waters south of Martha’s Vineyard and approximately 34 miles south of the Cape. “I believe . . . Complete story »
Deepwater Wind is getting bought out by Danish rival
The Danish energy company Orsted has reached a $510 million deal to take over Deepwater Wind, a rival wind farm developer, from the investment firm D.E. Shaw & Co. For Massachusetts, that means one less competitor on the scene when the next offshore wind contracts go out to bid. Both companies competed in the first round of bidding on offshore projects. But a third competitor, Vineyard Wind, beat out both of them in May, in part by showing it would . . . Complete story »
Lack of communication or transparency
In a recent Enterprise article written by Brad Cole [September 21, page 6], Falmouth Building Commissioner Palmer reported that he had been informed by Town Manager Suso that an assessment is underway to examine other locations for the future operation of Wind 2. At the February 12, 2018, meeting, the board of selectmen directed Mr. Suso to contract an engineering consultant to provide re-use alternatives for both turbine towers. Yet, Mr. Suso’s comment to Mr. Palmer implies that the scope . . . Complete story »
Vineyard Wind, Barnstable officials sign agreement on cable project
CENTERVILLE – Barnstable and Vineyard Wind officials have signed a host community agreement that includes $16 million in payments to the town in return for the offshore wind energy developer landing a high-voltage electric power transmission cable at William H. Covell Memorial Beach rather than via a disputed route through Lewis Bay in West Yarmouth. But a final decision on the transmission cable route, the landing location and other details is still to be determined; the state Energy Facilities Siting Board . . . Complete story »
State board to take up Vineyard Wind cable route
BOSTON – A critical hearing on a transmission cable that would connect Vineyard Wind’s planned offshore wind farm to the electric grid begins Thursday, with a decision expected by April. After winning a contract in May to sell 800 megawatts of offshore energy to three Massachusetts electric distribution companies, the company is deep into efforts to obtain federal and state permissions to move forward. Vineyard Wind’s 106-turbine farm planned 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard is expected to cost more than . . . Complete story »
Scientists say black Sea bass behavior could be affected by offshore wind
WOODS HOLE – Scientists from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center say that offshore wind energy construction could affect the behavior of Black Sea Bass. Black Sea Bass live up and down the east coast from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico, providing a significant ecological and economic importance. The fish are also attracted to structurally complex habitats, often found around rocky reefs, mussel beds, cobble and rock fields, and artificial habitats like shipwrecks. Scientists, commercial and recreational fisherman have expressed . . . Complete story »
