Wind Power News: Press releases
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.
New Steuben County wind farm approved
The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment (Siting Board) today granted approval to Eight Point Wind LLC to build and operate a wind farm facility in Steuben County. The Siting Board’s decision follows a rigorous review and public participation process to ensure that the wind farm meets or exceeds all siting requirements. “In keeping with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal to develop clean energy resources in New York State and nation-leading Green New Deal, we . . . Complete story »
Broome residents wind moratorium on Calpine proposal
Calpine Curbed! – Broome residents win moratorium. At a standing room only public meeting in Deposit last Tuesday evening, August 13th, the Sanford Town Board heard intense public opposition to the planned imposition of huge industrial wind turbines in this rural area. Jim Michalec, speaking for the Broome County Concerned Residents (BCCR), told the packed meeting that Calpine, the company behind the wind turbine proposal, had been secretive and failed in its duty to provide for public participation. Speaking to . . . Complete story »
Chenango County Planning Board approves wind turbines 676 feet high
A dozen residents of the Town of Guilford attended this morning’s 8:30 a.m. meeting of the Chenango County Planning Board to advocate for meaningful environmental impact review before the Town of Guilford votes on a proposed local wind project law. Despite receiving a letter from the attorney for Concerned Neighbors of Guilford, the Planning Board approved a draft local law from the Town containing standards requested by Calpine, a company proposing 676-foot-high wind turbines in the Town. Calpine’s High Bridge . . . Complete story »
Oregon Supreme Court invalidates Energy Council’s rules for modifying power plants
Today’s ruling is also expected to terminate two long-pending energy projects. PORTLAND, OR – Today the Oregon Supreme Court held in favor of a coalition of nine conservation organizations, invalidating rules adopted in 2017 by the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) that had dramatically reduced transparency and discouraged public participation in permitting decisions for large power plants throughout Oregon. Today’s legal victory is also expected to terminate the previously issued permits for two controversial power projects, the Summit Ridge . . . Complete story »
Iowa woman sues Utilities Board over approval of Palo Alto County wind project
An Emmetsburg, Iowa, woman is suing the three members of the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) over their abdication of oversight responsibility regarding a wind turbine project now under construction in Palo Alto County. Bertha Solomon Mathis filed suit in U.S. District Court against the three board members, claiming they violated her constitutional rights and state law by failing to hold public hearings in the county before construction began on the 170-turbine project. Mathis also claims the IUB was unable to . . . Complete story »
Proposed Admiral wind project – Lincoln, NY
The Town of Lincoln, Madison County, NY, is siting a wind farm in an area littered with homes. Setbacks will average 1,414 feet from fifty homes and 2,507 feet away from 119 homes in one mile. Some homes will be only 857′ from 500′ turbines. Originally the developer specified ten turbines with the FAA but scaled it back to six apparently to avoid a lengthy New York State Article 10 proceeding. The developer, Optimum Renewables, and the owner, Building Energy, . . . Complete story »
PUC approves new Sweetland Wind Farm near Miller
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has approved the construction permit for Sweetland Wind Farm near Miller. The company expects to complete the $240 million facility and begin operations by Dec. 31, 2020. However, Sweetland stated that construction will not commence until the company finds a buyer for the electricity generated by the wind farm. The facility will be capable of producing approximately 200 megawatts of energy. Forty-five conditions are imposed on the permit: Aircraft detection lighting, avian and bat . . . Complete story »
Comments filed on proposed Walker Ridge Wind Farm
Today I filed 123 pages of comments with the BLM in Ukiah* regarding the proposed Walker Ridge Wind Farm. All of my comments go to the core process of the project’s Environmental Impact Review [EIR]. In my comments I ask that the developer in its EIR report provide proof, means and methods backed by data, to support their assertion of zero harm to Lake County’s wildlife, lakes and streams, and specifically that all Mercury on Walker Ridge (ore in the . . . Complete story »
Death by a thousand blades
A boom in the number of wind farms proposed for Tasmania is posing massive risks for already Endangered species of birds, Birdlife Tasmania warned today. “With at least 10 new wind farms either proposed or under construction, more than 500 extra turbines could be spinning over the Tasmanian landscape in the next few years” Birdlife Tasmania Convenor Dr Eric Woehler said. “Add to all these turbines the associated infrastructure such as transmission lines and towers, and the cumulative web of . . . Complete story »
Rio Dell city government is the latest organization to give the Terra-Gen wind power project a big thumbs down
Press release from the City of Rio Dell: The Rio Dell City Council met on the evening of June 4, 2019 to discuss a response to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for a proposed 155 megawatt wind farm composed of potentially up to sixty towers. The project and its towers would be located on Monument Ridge and Bear River Ridge and would be visible from town. After careful consideration, the Council voted 4‐0 (Councilmember Wilson recused) to issue a . . . Complete story »
