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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Is ‘big wind’ making people sick?
In Colorado alone, there are 23 industrial wind farms that are operational, with over 1,800 turbines in over 10 counties. Wind energy has gone from supplying one percent of Colorado’s total energy output in 2005 to 14 percent in 2014. Yet, with the explosion in wind generation there is a dearth of studies regarding the long-term health impact of industrial wind in Colorado. And there doesn’t seem to be much interest in cataloguing those impacts any time soon. The World Health Organization recognized in a 2009 study that . . .
Engineer says MOECC testing shows wind turbines out of compliance, but continue to operate
Ontario engineer William Palmer has proposed a rigorous, but simple and transparent technique to assess wind turbine noise, that could replace the problematic complex computer models and “black box” algorithms currently used in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change newest protocol to assess wind turbine noise compliance. Speaking at the International Conference on Wind Turbine Noise that took place in Rotterdam beginning May 2, Palmer said of his proposed method, The method had to consider that an effective . . .
As voters reject additional development in Michigan’s ‘wind capital,’ what next?
Across several townships and three counties in Michigan’s “Thumb” region last week, voters rejected plans for specific wind projects and approved zoning changes that restrict future development. Developers there are now regrouping, uncertain of whether they will pursue future projects in the three-county region of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola that has the most concentrated amount of wind turbines in the state. Huron County in particular, which covers the top of the eastern peninsula that juts into Lake Huron, has hundreds . . .
Crossover hasn’t calmed concerns about wind power’s effects on military
The controversy over the possible impact of wind energy turbines on military base operations has not blown over, even though none of the relevant bills met the April 27 legislative crossover deadline. Concerns exist that the towering wind turbines could disrupt radar operations and interfere with training and flight paths at the state’s air bases. “Just because a bill doesn’t make crossover doesn’t mean it’s dead,” state Rep. Chris Millis, R-Pender, said Monday. Crossover refers to the date most bills . . .
End of state tax credit expected to impact Iowa clean energy growth
The race is on to finish about a dozen large renewable energy projects in Iowa after state lawmakers did not act on renewing a key tax credit. The state’s production tax credit of 1.5 cents per kilowatt hour will not be available for any projects that go into operation after Dec. 31, 2017. The Iowa Legislature did not vote on renewing the credit during the session that ended in late April. The impact will be twofold: projects now in process . . .
Renewable energy could be cash cow for Rhode Island farms
“The legislation would essentially allow industrial-scale uses — power plants — on properties that are often residentially zoned and may be in close proximity to residential neighborhoods,” Maria Mack, chairwoman of the South Kingstown Planning Board, said during a recent hearing at the Statehouse. Mack said the bill takes away local siting control while omitting standards for fences, view shed, wildlife and decommissioning of the wind turbine or solar array. There is also no requirement for a public hearing for a proposed project, she added. “It appears that the primary beneficiaries of the proposal might be the investors of these facilities,” Mack said.
Governor’s commission rejects voters’ judgment on more windmills
A report released by a commission created and appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed the state take steps to get 30 percent of its electric energy by 2025 through renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy. The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission report echoes a 2015 goal expressed by Snyder of having “a minimum of 30 percent clean energy – and potentially much more.” A press release on the report calls for natural gas to be included as a . . .
Kipeto Wind Energy Project could wipe out critically endangered birds
BirdLife International, Nature Kenya, Kenya Bird of Prey Trust and The Peregrine Fund have collectively expressed concern over a proposal to develop the Kipeto Wind Energy Project, in Kajiado County, Kenya. This is due to the fact that the proposed wind farm will be in close proximity to the nesting sites of two species of Critically Endangered vultures and also close to an important flyway for a vast numbers of migratory birds. Just 14 km from Kwenia cliffs – the . . .
PSC covers up “clean energy” cost
State regulators last week shot down efforts by utilities to show ratepayers the amount by which their electric bills are being driven up by New York’s new Clean Energy Standard. Under the standard, adopted in August by the state Public Service Commission (PSC) at the urging of Governor Cuomo, utilities and anyone else buying power from the state’s electrical grid must help subsidize three money-losing nuclear power plants and new solar panels and wind turbines. The standard also absorbed the . . .
Ask at Town Meeting: Where is our wind ordinance?
Most Maine cities and towns use zoning, sometimes called a land use ordinance, to help them manage what is important in the community. Zoning can cover just about any land use: barking dogs, houselots, signs, parking… In recent years a new land use has captured the attention of municipal governments from Portland to Presque Isle: wind energy. While the Maine Department of Environmental Protection issues permits for wind projects, the state’s standards and protections are weak. But once a wind project permit is . . .
