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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Largest ever database of U.S. wind turbines released
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), in collaboration with public and private partners, has released the most comprehensive publicly available database yet of U.S. wind turbine locations and characteristics. The United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) will allow unparalleled ability for government agencies and others to make planning decisions. The USWTDB, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and developed as part of a public-private partnership with the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and in collaboration . . . Complete story »
Concerns, support raised at wind farm hearings
Attendees at public hearings in Hyannis and on Nantucket Wednesday for one of three offshore wind energy projects proposed for south of Martha’s Vineyard had questions about the environment, potential jobs and the effects on commercial and recreational fishing. But others fully welcomed the benefit of a renewable energy project that – unlike Cape Wind, they said – appears to have a chance of coming to fruition. “I’m just hoping that this will be the beginning of a national shift,” said Nantucket . . . Complete story »
Western part of Madison County considered for wind energy
MADISON – Once Madison County gets its regulations updated, expect there to be some interest from developers in pursuing wind energy. On Tuesday, the county board met with Ned Porter, a land agent for Invenergy, which has an office in Neligh. Porter said his company built Prairie Breeze I, II and III wind farms, primarily in Antelope and Boone counties. His company also will be constructing the Upstream Wind project north of Neligh, which should be completed and running by the . . . Complete story »
BLM gives final green light to major Western power line
The Bureau of Land Management has approved the final routes for a 1,000-mile power line that connects Western states. The agency announced that segments of the Gateway West Transmission Line Project on public lands in southwestern Idaho received the green light, hooking up to already authorized routes in southern Wyoming and eastern Idaho. Gateway West is a 10-segment, 500-kilovolt transmission line that starts in Wyoming and ends in southwestern Idaho. The Trump administration is touting the major initiative, which began . . . Complete story »
Commissioners view video of loud turbine
BAD AXE – A resident showed the Huron County Board of Commissioners video that he feels demonstrates issues with a wind developer’s sound protocol. Robert Gaffke of Bloomfield Township has a long-standing complaint against Heritage Sustainable Energy, which built the two Big Turtle Wind Farms in Huron County. Big Turtle II borders Gaffke’s property, and he has been before both county commissioners and county planners many times in the past 18 months complaining about noise from turbines. Gaffke would not allow . . . Complete story »
Wind company claims it’s ending project; Wind turbine foes express skepticism over ‘ploy’
SHIAWASSEE COUNTY – Apex Clean Energy, a Virginia-based renewable energy firm seeking to develop wind turbines in Shiawassee County, said in a letter that it will not renew land leases or sign new ones in the county because of regulations being drafted by the county making turbines “unfeasible” to develop. “We will not be able to renew land leases or further pursue investment in the county until there is a clear ordinance in place that allows for safe, economic, and well-designed . . . Complete story »
Commissioners asked to reverse course on local wind turbine issue
During a marathon meeting of the Seneca County commissioners Tuesday that lasted two hours, several residents from the Republic area gave presentations in opposition to the construction of wind turbines in that area. Those protesting the establishment of wind turbines were hoping to persuade the three commissioners to change course in their support of changes in the law that would make construction of the turbines easier to achieve. Despite the property owners’ pleas and efforts, all three commissioners remained steadfast. . . . Complete story »
Opposition to wind farm project expressed
As part of its review process to determine whether to approve an application to allow construction of wind turbines on 32,000 acres of public land in Nevada adjacent to the California border just west of Searchlight, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducted a series of scoping meetings to allow public input. At a recent meeting in Las Vegas a half dozen speakers largely expressed support for renewable energy but not on the proposed site. According to a 2012 filing . . . Complete story »
Business raising funds for Freddie the Eagle
SYCAMORE – A two-day sale at a local gift shop will help give a rescued bald eagle long-term care and a permanent home. Sweet Earth, Gifts, Jewelry, Engraving & Beads is hosting a raffle to benefit “Freedom Freddie” the bald eagle, who was rescued earlier this year by the Oaken Acres Wildlife Center. The store wanted to help give the eagle the care he needs and give the public the opportunity to help as well, according to a news release. . . . Complete story »
Planners OK Ingersoll wind ordinance on 5-2 vote
The long, wearisome and divisive journey to an updated wind ordinance is nearing completion after Monday night’s Ingersoll Township Planning Commission meeting. A wind ordinance passed on a 5-2 vote. Commission members Dave Kinne, Kris Kipfmiller, George Schaller, Andy Shaffner and Rick Surma voted in support of the ordinance. Planning Commission Chairman Ron Garrett and trustee Jacob Terwillegar voted against it. The ordinance now goes to the Ingersoll Township Board at its May 14 meeting. Garrett and Terwillegar were concerned . . . Complete story »
