Wind Power News: Blogs
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.
Alarming 99% decline in gulls raises questions over expanding wind farms
* Shocking 99% decline in Lesser Black-backed gulls at Suffolk coastal site * The amber-listed gull is especially vulnerable to collision with offshore wind turbines * Plans to further expand industrial wind projects in the area could prove disastrous for birds A shocking 99% decline in the population of Lesser Black-backed gulls raises serious questions over the impact of industrial wind farm development in the North Sea. Huge wind farms nearby … The alarming reduction in the numbers of breeding birds . . . Complete story »
Whitmer’s support of nuclear power shows how renewable energy has fallen short
Data from the Energy Information Agency show that Michigan is still depending much more on nuclear power than renewables. Complete story »
Hawaii Supreme Court upholds Oahu wind farm
Big Wind scored a major victory in the Hawaii Supreme Court with the unanimous affirmation of a lower court decision approving the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take License (ITL) for the Na Pua Makani wind power project on Oahu’s north shore. Local wildlife activists who have long opposed industrial wind facilities in the Aloha State expressed disappointment at the decision. The Conservation Council of Hawaii, an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, opposes offshore industrial wind facilities and . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind turbines interfere with ships’ radar, ability to navigate, study finds
Gov. Roy Cooper and the Biden administration want to make North Carolina carbon neutral by 2050, and President Biden’s ambitious plans to combat climate change lean heavily on offshore wind generation. The turbines could be a problem for fishermen. North Carolina’s fishing industry has largely been cautious in criticizing the wind turbines, saying it wants to wait for more information. But a new report on the impact of wind power on fishermen’s ability to navigate and operate radar could throw . . . Complete story »
Fast-tracking offshore wind in Massachusetts – a community’s cost
In November 2020, the state’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an Order approving long-term contracts of the 804 MW Mayflower Wind offshore wind farm with the Commonwealth’s Electric Distribution Companies. In March 2021 a bipartisan bill was signed into law authorizing the Commonwealth to procure 2.4 GW more offshore wind power. All the while Falmouth residents concerned themselves with essential local services and local sustainability challenges as a result of the continuing pandemic. They didn’t know it then, but . . . Complete story »
Falmouth’s zoning powers on state’s chopping block
With respect to the siting of Mayflower Wind Energy’s wind energy system (including component parts), none of the MGL chapters and sections cited by Mayflower Wind Energy’s project (see * below) authorize “the state” to override local zoning by-laws in effect on the date when notice of intention was filed with the MA Energy Facility Siting Board or the MA Department of Public Utilities. The zoning relief requested by Mayflower Wind Energy involves exemptions from all local zoning provisions duly . . . Complete story »
Falmouth news: intended Mayflower landing
Becoming as Contentious as Project’s 1620 Namesake? Last week’s Falmouth Enterprise editorial “Mayflower Wind’s Power Lines” cited many worries. Falmouth’s social media sites buzzed with concern comments ranging from “greenies” to Falmouth Heights property owners, fishermen to aquaculture farmers. Should residents be worried? Falmouth’s new Wind Energy Systems Zoning Bylaw is pretty clear. It defines any Wind Energy System’s components in Falmouth to be subject to provisions of this local bylaw. It indeed, captures the Mayflower wind project. Shouldn’t we . . . Complete story »
Ottawa “community” investor syndicate buys wind farm hundreds of kilometres away
The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative or OREC recently bought an Ontario wind turbine project, along with equity partner EnerFORGE, a subsidiary of Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation, according to a news report. The wind power project, which consists of a single 2.5-MW turbine, is in Bruce County. That is more than 500 km away from Ottawa, and more than 200 km from Oshawa, but the buyers claim this is an example of “local” ownership of renewable power facilities. “OREC is . . . Complete story »
Falmouth inches closer to turbine removal
November 22, 2021 Falmouth’s Select Board was provided a wind turbine disposition update. The final review of the bid documents (RFP – request for proposals) by the town staff, the town’s special counsel, the contracted project/procurement consultant (Westin & Sampson) and the town’s Waste Water Superintendent was completed last week. It’s notable that in the Sept 13 2019 edition of the Falmouth Enterprise – Town Manager Julian M. Suso said “… Taking down the town’s wind turbines is taking longer than expected. . . . Complete story »
The strange case of the climate scientists fighting a wind farm
On the edge of the Aegean Sea lies Antikythera, a bone-dry, windswept rock of 8.5 square miles (22 square kilometers) and 22 inhabitants. Despite appearances, this unforgiving land holds immense ecological importance. A NATURA-protected area, it is a migration hot spot for birds, with more than 200 species from Africa reposing there each spring and fall before heading north and south respectively; it is home to the world’s largest colony of Eleonora’s falcon; it is the westernmost site in the . . . Complete story »
