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Wind Power News: Tennessee
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.
County OKs regulations governing wind energy facilities
Any company interested in developing and operating a wind energy facility in Cumberland County will now be met with several regulations establishing conditions, costs and fees adopted by the county commission during last week’s monthly meeting. Cumberland County commissioners approved a resolution based on a model developed by Tennessee’s County Technical Assistance Service. “While Cumberland County recognizes a national interest in the development of clean energy, it also recognizes its responsibility to implement and promote energy production practices which protect . . . Complete story »
TVA gets community feedback on electricity generation
TVA doesn't plan to build any wind turbines in its region, however. Hydas cited the imminent expiration of the federal production tax credit, which will be phased out completely by 2024. "In the mid-2020s, after the tax credit expires, wind is about 40 percent more expensive than solar," Hydas said. "Solar is better for our system." Complete story »
TVA, environmental groups duel over the future of solar energy
What’s the future of solar energy in the Tennessee Valley? The area’s namesake power producer has its own projections. But a coalition of climate and energy-conservation groups is pressing for more – and its vehicle is a lawsuit against the Tennessee Valley Authority’s recent rate-structure change. TVA, an independent federal agency that provides power to about 9.7 million people in parts of seven Southeastern states, sells most of the electricity it generates to local utilities, which resell power to individual customers. . . . Complete story »
Wind energy bill on its way to Governor — what does it mean?
Prefacing his request to pass SB1793 on the Senate Floor on April 11th, Senator Paul Bailey recognized CMPC members who were in attendance. Remarking that CMPC co-founder George Chiarmonte’s efforts in the movement (who recently lost his cancer battle) would be memorialized in TN’s first-ever wind energy regulatory legislation, Sen. Bailey garnered AYE votes of 32 Senators. SB1793, the “Wind Energy Bill” [as Amended and Conformed to its companion House Bill] is now on its way to the Governor’s office . . . Complete story »
Legislation allows local wind industry regulation
Tennessee State Senate unanimously approved legislation Wednesday, April 11 protecting landowners by allowing local governments to regulate the wind energy industry in Tennessee. Senate Bill 1793, sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Representative Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), comes after legislation was passed last year requiring a study be conducted regarding wind turbines and their impact on Tennessee communities and surrounding property owners. That legislation, also sponsored by Bailey and Sexton, placed a moratorium on wind turbines until July 1, 2018, . . . Complete story »
Wind Turbine legislation passes
The Cumberland Mountain Preservation Coalition – and Fairfield Glade as a whole – scored a victory last week in Nashville in the fight to keep Wind Turbines from being installed atop Crab Orchard mountains. A Wind Energy bill passed the Tennessee Senate with 32 Ayes on Wednesday and will now go to the next step of the office of the Governor. Led by Rep. Cameron Sexton and Senator Paul Bailey, the bill outlines regulations that would serve to hinder such proposed Turbine . . . Complete story »
Senate approves legislation protecting landowners by allowing local governments to regulate the wind industry in Tennessee
NASHVILLE – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation today protecting landowners by allowing local governments to regulate the wind energy industry in Tennessee. Senate Bill 1793, sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Representative Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), comes after legislation was passed last year requiring a study be conducted regarding wind turbines and their impact on Tennessee communities and surrounding property owners. That legislation, also sponsored by Bailey and Sexton, placed a moratorium on wind turbines until July 1, 2018, . . . Complete story »
Wind energy bill headed to Senate
A bill to regulate industrial wind energy farms in Tennessee has passed the state House and has advanced to the state Senate for consideration. “I think this is a very good piece of legislation that is making sure that all property owners have a voice in the process,” said state Rep. Cameron Sexton, who sponsored the bill in the House. “It’s a very reasonable approach that takes into account personal property rights as well as the rights of adjacent property . . . Complete story »
Tennessee House of Representatives passes bill regarding wind farms
In June 2017, a more than $100 million wind farm project in Tennessee was put on hold after state lawmakers passed a yearlong moratorium on new turbines. A renewed effort to push House Bill 1731 passed the State House of Representatives today by a vote of 63 to 23. The bill establishes regulations for the wind energy industry in the state. The bill urges the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to study wind-energy facility regulations adopted in local governments . . . Complete story »
CMPC keeping up its effort against Wind Turbines success
At the crack of dawn on March 13 with snow and ice on car windows and a thermometer reading of 27 degrees, fourteen members of the Cumberland Mountain Preservation Coalition began their journey to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville. Their mission – to observe Tennessee lawmakers and support House Bill 1731. They listened to witnesses, debates, and questions and answers on the responsible wind energy legislation proposed by Representative Cameron Sexton and Senator Paul Bailey. HB 1731, which sets forth . . . Complete story »
