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Wind Power News: Italy
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.
“No” dei sindaci di San Venanzo e Parrano al parco sul Peglia
[“No” from mayors of San Venanzo and Parrano to wind project on Mt. Peglia – The project – they said – “calls for 18 towers, each 150 meters high, concrete footings for a total of 6 hectares, kilometers of new roads linking the towers, two huge electrical substations, kilometers of new power lines for connecting to the national grid …”] Secco “no” dei Sindaci di San Venanzo e di Parrano, due comuni della Provincia di Terni, alla realizzazione del progetto di installazione . . . Complete story »
“The Windfather” – Another report finds wind and renewable energy projects controlled by organized crime to launder money
Europol report ties mafia to renewable energy This week, Europol released yet another report tying the financing, development and operation of renewable energy projects, particularly wind energy infrastructure projects, to organized crime in Europe. The latest Europol report follows on the heels of an earlier one, the “Serious & Organized Crime Threat Assessment 2013”, which similarly found that organized crime is involved in, and in some instances controls, renewable energy financings and project developments for the purposes of laundering proceeds . . . Complete story »
No all’impianto eolico, Zanoni in missione sul Monte Pizzoc
[No to wind facility on Mount Pizzoc: Andrea Zanoni on a mission] Andrea Zanoni in missione sul Monte Pizzoc. Domenica sera l’eurodeputato ha effettuato un sopralluogo nell’area dove il Comune di Fregona ha in programma di realizzare un imponente impianto eolico. “Una follia” per Zanoni, che si oppone al progetto: “Si tratta del posto più sbagliato di tutto il Nord Italia per costruire un simile impianto – rileva l’eurodeputato, che pure è un forte sostenitore dell’eolico – Queste gigantesche pale . . . Complete story »
Mafia launders dirty money in clean energy – Europol
The Italian mafia is ramping up investment in wind farms to launder money and benefit from EU subsidies. Europol reports winds farms, and renewable energy in general, are the most popular target for laundering money, after analysing the financial activities of Italy’s four mafia groups. “The Italian mafia is investing more and more in renewable energy, especially in wind farms, to profit from generous European grants paid for by member states which allow them to mix dirty money with legitimate . . . Complete story »
Italian mafia ‘turns to wind farm investment to launder money and benefit from EU subsidies’
Italian mafia have turned to wind farm investment to launder money and benefit from EU subsidies, according to a Europol report. Winds farms, and renewable energy in general, are the most popular target for laundering money, Europe’s policing agency concluded after analysing the financial activities of Italy’s four mafia groups. ‘The Italian mafia is investing more and more in renewable energy, especially in wind farms, to profit from generous European grants paid for by member states which allow them to . . . Complete story »
Mafia goes green to launder green
Brussels – The Italian mafia is ramping up investment in wind farms to launder money and benefit from EU subsidies, according to a Europol report published on Thursday. Europe’s policing agency said an analysis of the financial activities of the Italian mafia’s four groupings found wind farms to be the most popular target for dirty money within the renewable energy sector, itself a criminal favourite. “The Italian mafia is investing more and more in renewable energy, especially in wind farms, . . . Complete story »
After 20 years, hunt for fugitive Sicilian Mafia boss intensifies
Investigators will not say whether they believe an arrest is imminent, but police have ramped up seizures of businesses they believe are fronting for Messina Denaro. Among them are firms that were involved in hosting America's Cup races in Trapani in 2005; a chain of supermarkets that specialized in hiring mobsters fresh out of jail; and the business empire of Sicilian entrepreneur Vito Nicastri, who attracted foreign investment and European Union funding for wind farms he set up across Sicily. In April, police concluded the seizure of 43 companies, 98 properties and dozens of accounts totaling $1.7 billion from Nicastri, nicknamed "The Lord of the Wind" and suspected of being at the Cosa Nostra's disposal. Complete story »
Progetto per un parco eolico in mare, Petrosino in rivolta: a capo il sindaco
[Petrosino in revolt, the mayor leading, over offshore wind project – Saying no to the possible installation of 48 wind turbines 190 meters high two miles from the coast were the mayor of Petrosino Gaspare Giacalone, associations, environmentalists, and the 5 Stars Movement (M5S). … “Thinking of placing generators 48 two miles from the coast between Petrosino and Mazara – said Sergio Tancredi of M5S – would mean inexorably changing a pristine environment. Among other things, the affected area is in . . . Complete story »
Manduria, delibera salva-Primitivo: Lombardo “stoppa” l’eolico
[Manduria forest-preserving resolution: Lombardo stops wind – Special Commissioner Aldo Lombardo has effectively stopped dead the uncontrolled proliferation of alternative energy projects. Resolution 75 of May 27 has established very strict limits to new installations of both wind and solar. The measure comes on the tale of a revolt of environmentalists and wine producers who in recent months have erected a veritable wall of “no” against the very real risk of forests and historic farms being plunged into the arms of . . . Complete story »
“No all’impianto di Nicelli se non rispetta la norma regionale”
[No to Nicelli wind plant without respecting regional rules] Piacenza – «La norma è chiara e non può essere diversamente interpretata: per installare impianti eolici sopra i 1200 metri o in area agricola serve un’alta efficienza energetica, non inferiore a 1800 ore di funzionamento alla massima potenza nominale. Il calcolo non può essere fatto considerando le ore equivalenti». È la posizione dell’assessore regionale all’Ambiente e alla Riqualificazione urbana Sabrina Freda, chiarita oggi nel corso della Commissione assembleare su territorio, ambiente . . . Complete story »
