Wind Power News: U.S.
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.
Paul LePage opposes wind-energy farm that would be sited about 30 miles off Maine coast
Former Gov. Paul LePage says if reelected in November, he would not proceed with Gov. Janet Mills’ application to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to site a wind-energy farm about 30 miles off Maine’s coast. “My minimum is 40 miles out. If you’re out 40 miles or 50 miles I’ll be all supportive. In the fishing waters I will not support windmills,” he says. LePage spoke at an event in Windham, where his candidacy was endorsed by Associated . . . Complete story »
Wind farm, environmentalists agree on ways to protect whales
The developers of an offshore wind farm and three environmental organizations announced Monday that they have reached an agreement to further protect rare North Atlantic right whales during construction and operation of the energy-generating project. The agreement involving Orsted and Eversource – developers of South Fork Wind off the coast of New England and New York – was signed by the National Wildlife Federation, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Conservation Law Foundation, the groups said in a joint statement. The . . . Complete story »
Sandbridge residents oppose high-voltage cables from offshore wind project near Outer Banks
VIRGINIA BEACH – A wind energy company’s proposed project off the coast of the Outer Banks is ruffling the feathers of Virginia Beach residents 36 miles to the north who don’t want high-voltage cables in their beachfront neighborhood. Avangrid Renewables, based in Boston, is still in the early stages of developing its Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project. The company plans to build a wind farm 27 miles from Corolla, North Carolina, and is proposing to bring the transmission cables ashore in . . . Complete story »
In support of townships, large solar and wind farms banned by Butler County
The Butler County commissioners said while they understand the need for supporting alternative energy sources, they want to respect the wishes of their township trustees so they voted unanimously to ban industrial solar and wind farms. Last week they conducted a required public hearing after 12 of 13 township trustee boards passed resolutions asking them to ban the utility-grade energy generating farms. Several people spoke out against the ban and Commissioner T.C. Rogers said he heard them, but believes the . . . Complete story »
Ocean City continues battle against offshore wind farm
Ocean City intensified its fight against a proposed ocean wind energy farm by criticizing plans by the project’s developer to build an underground transmission line that would come ashore at the beach and run through town. During an online hearing Friday held by the state Board of Public Utilities, the city’s lead attorney accused Ocean Wind LLC of proposing a route for the transmission line at 35th Street simply because it would be the least expensive option for the company. . . . Complete story »
Rapp’s solar, wind teardown bill passes house
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp to require solar and wind energy decommissioning plans has been passed by the House of Representatives. The legislation heads to the state Senate for discussion. Rapp, R-Warren, introduced the bill in December. Any alternative energy agreement will be required to include a decommissioning plan and proof of financing from a banking institution to pay to remove the solar panels or turbine. The plan would have to be updated regularly with money held in escrow . . . Complete story »
Niyol wind turbine comes crashing down; NextEra is investigating
NextEra Energy is investigating the toppling of a wind turbine south of Fleming Wednesday. Steve Stengel, a spokesman for NextEra, said the company is looking into what caused the mast of the 300-foot turbine to buckle. Emergency responders first were notified late Wednesday afternoon that blades were falling off of a wind turbine in the Niyol Wind Farm near the intersection of County Roads 16 and 59, roughly 10 miles southeast of Sterling. When they arrived the found that the . . . Complete story »
Ocean City seeks to divert wind power plan
OCEAN CITY – City attorney Dorothy McCrosson took aim at plans to run a power line across the city at 35th Street at a Friday morning hearing of the state Board of Public Utilities, arguing there are other options to bring wind power to shore. The BPU board heard oral arguments in a request for Ocean Wind 1, planned as the first large-scale offshore wind farm off the coast of New Jersey that is projected to power a half-million homes. First, . . . Complete story »
Some Sandbridge residents vote against offshore wind project
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Some community members in Virginia Beach are pushing back against an offshore wind project. A company called Avangrid Renewables wants to bring subsea cables above the ground in Sandbridge. “You know, people spend their life savings and they come down here and they buy houses to enjoy the beach,” said Sandbridge resident Andrew Horne. Horne is a member of the Sandbridge Beach Civic League. He said he worries the offshore wind project on the horizon will change . . . Complete story »
Grand Forks County drops wind farm moratorium
The Grand Forks County Commission has lifted a moratorium on wind farm applications after tweaking a series of local siting requirements. The revised document includes moving the setback for wind turbines from one-quarter to one-half mile. The changes also define the tower height setback from property lines and right-of-ways. Another provision involves the so-called shadow flicker – or the amount of time rotating wind blades can cast shadows on nearby dwellings. The max time would be 30 hours per year . . . Complete story »
