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.
Falmouth ruling bolsters cause for neighbors of Plymouth turbines
BOURNE – For neighbors of the Future Generation Wind turbines who have been complaining to town and state officials about the effects of the four 500-foot tall turbines, things have been looking bleak. They have said the turbines have robbed them of their sleep, their health, and the enjoyment of their property, to no avail. They failed in their attempt at a preliminary injunction against the ConEdison Solutions-owned turbines. They tried to get the turbines shut down by town boards in . . .
Turbine decision comes as surprise in Falmouth
The decision not to challenge a court ruling effectively leaving Falmouth’s twin wind turbines inoperable shocked supporters and critics alike. “It’s just such a tremendous relief to me and it’s still taken these past couple of days to sink in,” said Barry A. Funfar, a plaintiff in the case that ultimately led the board of selectmen to drop legal proceedings. Mr. Funfar is one of several neighbors who argued that the presence of the turbines negatively affected their health. A . . .
Two Cape windmills have stopped spinning, but someone still has to pay
The costs of the Wind Turbine Curse keep adding up. A cursed windmill? That’s how I described the Falmouth tower known as “Wind 1” in 2012. And the legal battles were just getting started. Now, the court fights might finally be over. The bills? That’s another story. The Falmouth selectmen decided Monday not to appeal a judge’s determination that Wind 1 and its younger sibling, Wind 2, are a nuisance and must be shut down. This essentially marks the end . . .
Controversial Savoy wind farm project moving forward
SAVOY – After more than a decade of process and debate, plans for a five-turbine wind farm on a high Berkshire County ridge are moving forward. The $31 million facility on 293 acres in Savoy won a special permit from the town in 2010. But the company didn’t procure a wetlands permit from the state until late 2016. Minuteman then started excavating with a local building permit in hand, reports the Berkshire Eagle. The company plans to take delivery of the . . .
Falmouth officials: Turbine losses could total $12M
FALMOUTH – A battle-weary Board of Selectmen announced Monday that the town will not appeal last month’s ruling by a Barnstable Superior Court judge that a pair of 1.65-megawatt municipal wind turbines are a nuisance for neighbors and must be shut down. Both turbine friends and foes were surprised by the announcement, expecting instead that the board would appeal. Susan Moran, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, said it was time to put an end to an issue that has caused . . .
Falmouth won’t appeal order to shut down wind turbines
FALMOUTH – The Falmouth Board of Selectmen voted Monday night not to appeal a judge’s decision ordering the shutdown of the town’s two massive wind turbines. “It’s time to put the matter behind us and move forward,” board Chairwoman Susan Moran said. The decision not to appeal could put the town on the hook for payment of loans and grants from the state as well as dismantling costs. A past estimate put the cost at $14 million. But appealing the judge’s . . .
Long-debated $31M Savoy wind power project revived
SAVOY – Bolstered by a new financial partner, a Berkshires wind turbine project proposed nearly 15 years ago may at last swing into life. If a new timeline holds, the Minuteman Wind LLC venture would place five 425-foot turbines on a remote hill in Savoy next year. The 12.5-megawatt project, valued at about $31 million, won key approvals from town residents and boards in 2008 and 2010, but then underwent a long challenge on environmental grounds. Late last year, the state . . .
Seven-year wind turbine saga is coming to an end
The seven-year saga of Falmouth’s two town wind turbines may now be coming to an end. Superior Court Judge Cornelius J. Moriarity, after hearing evidence from the town and the turbines’ neighbors, last month ruled that the board of appeals was correct in finding that Wind 2, the town’s second turbine, was a nuisance to its neighbors, and the judge ordered it to be shut down. Wind 1, the town’s other turbine, had already been shut down in 2015 by . . .
Environmental groups push to shorten offshore wind timeline
In the wake of a major regulatory decision on offshore wind, environmental groups are imploring the Baker administration to accelerate the state’s nearly 10-year timeline to establish a pioneering clean energy industry in Massachusetts. One of those groups, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, went so far as to accuse Governor Charlie Baker’s regulators of participating in an “unholy alliance” with utility companies to slow down the construction of offshore wind farms and diminish the state’s ability to lure clean energy . . .
Wind turbine jury verdict
The jury decision that a nuisance could not be found for the Andersens has been cited by those who want to continue to litigate not just against the neighbors but against three separate decisions by our own Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals. The verdict might have been quite different if the jury had had fair access to all the facts. Indeed, the judge considered calling a mistrial after opening statements by accomplished insurance company lawyers, supporting the town, limited so . . .
