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Wind Power News: Blogs
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.
Thousands of gannets will perish as North Sea ‘wind parks’ expand
The Netherlands government plans to industrialise the North Sea by building thousands of wind turbines, as it attempts to meet goals proposed under the Climate Agreement. When Dutch citizens objected to renewable energy projects in their countryside, the government turned its attention to offshore development. But at what cost to the environment? 5000 giant turbines killing 8000+ birds each year… Plans for 5000 giant turbines in the North Sea have caused alarm in some environmental circles, even though the Dutch . . . Complete story »
What I learned at REV
Much of the conversation focused on loosening the noise rules, with the participants citing them as the biggest issue to wind development in Vermont. Complete story »
The ad Facebook doesn’t want you to see
Simple ad pointed to a website post on the need for change in wind power approvals Ten days ago, Wind Concerns Ontario filed a formal comment with the Independent Electricity System Operator or IESO in Ontario, asking that changes be made to the wind power contract approval process. Although the Green Energy Act has been revoked, and municipalities now has land-use planning powers returned, the fact is, nothing else about project approvals have changed. We thought people might like to . . . Complete story »
Final farewell to a wind energy debacle
According to the June 6 Cape Cod Times (see timeline for article) a contract award has been given to Atlantic Coast Dismantling LLC to demolish Falmouth’s two municipal wind turbines. It’ll come with a reported cost of nearly $40K with additional funds to be determined for electrical work and site restoration. The other notable town taxpayer cost cited in the article, a minimum payment of $975,000 to resolve the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grant used to purchase and construct . . . Complete story »
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 »
