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Wind Power News: Press releases
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.
Preservation Society of Newport County’s answers to frequently asked questions regarding appeals of BOEM’s permitting of offshore wind industrialization
The Preservation Society of Newport County has received numerous media inquiries since it announced on November 22, 2023, that it was appealing federal agency approval of two wind farms off the Rhode Island coast in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The appeals detail the failure of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to comply with the heightened levels of review required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. Developers have . . . Complete story »
Proposed wind farm project sparks concerns in Waiuku community
A controversial proposal for an 18-turbine wind farm in the pristine farmland close to Karioitahi beach has ignited a fierce battle within the local community. The project, which has been granted fast-track clearance by the government without consultation or input from the wider community, has raised concerns about its potential impact on the environment, local residents, and the tourism industry. The towering turbines, measuring an impressive 190 metres in height, have drawn comparisons to well-known world landmarks such as the . . . Complete story »
Coalition files intent to sue federal agencies to stop whale-killing Virginia wind project
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the National Marine Fisheries Service have violated federal law by finding that the Virginia Offshore Wind project will not result in the destruction of the North Atlantic right whale as a species. Complete story »
Tribe passes resolution opposing offshore wind energy development, citing impacts to fisheries, cultural resources, and heritage
The Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians (“Tribe”) unanimously passed a resolution expressing its opposition to offshore wind energy development off the Oregon Coast. The resolution corresponds with the deadline for comments on the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) two draft Wind Energy Areas (“WEAs”) for development of wind energy in areas near Florence and Brookings. “After meetings with the Director of BOEM, it was apparent to the Tribe that . . . Complete story »
Gillespie calls for Labor to abandon Offshore Wind Farm
Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has addressed Parliament, speaking out against the Offshore Wind farm proposed off the coast of his electorate. In July the federal government declared a wind farm zone covering more than 1800 square kilometres from Swansea in the south to Port Stephens in the north Dr Gillespie recently attended and addressed an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens attended by nearly 2,000 people. “This trillion dollar-plus energy plan by Labor, Greens and Teal . . . Complete story »
Support growing for offshore wind moratorium
Earlier this month, the Democratic state Senate president and Democratic speaker of the state Assembly released a joint statement echoing our calls for a pause on offshore wind development until more research could be done. Their statements read, in part: “There are still many unanswered questions about the economic impact these projects will have on ratepayers as well as potential impacts to one of our state’s largest economic drivers, tourism at the shore.” A reasonable and rational statement one would . . . Complete story »
Tribes concerned about wind energy development impact to fisheries, local jobs, and pristine viewsheds
Last week, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) released two draft Wind Energy Areas (“WEAs”) for development of offshore wind energy off the Oregon Coast, including areas near Florence and Brookings. The release of these WEAs was contrary to the call of the Oregon Governor and Congressional delegation requesting that the process for wind energy development by suspended to ensure that the concerns of local residents, commercial fishing, and Tribes are fully considered in the process. The Confederated . . . Complete story »
Save LBI lays out evidence for cause of whale deaths
Background On August 4th, 2023, Save Long Beach Island (LBI) filed a lawsuit seeking to enjoin the ongoing offshore wind energy vessel surveys using high intensity noise equipment until a thorough investigation could be done and new protocols developed for estimating noise impacts from wind energy development activities. On August 14th Save LBI responded to defendant and defendant-intervenor motions, laying out in detail the evidence linking the vessel surveys to the recent whale deaths. Evidence of Causation of Whale Deaths . . . Complete story »
Queensland requirements for wind farm developments set for review
A review of the requirements for wind farm developments in Queensland is underway. The review of the Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) and its accompanying guidelines will aim to build greater community and industry confidence in clean energy projects. State Code 23 already includes requirements aimed at ensuring wind farms are designed and operated to minimise adverse impacts on the natural environment, ecological processes, visual amenity, air services, transport networks and noise levels. The Wind Farm Code and accompanying . . . Complete story »
House passes amendment requiring that offshore wind facilities don’t interfere with aviation radar
The House of Representatives today passed an amendment authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that would require President Biden or his designee to certify that offshore wind projects “will not weaken, degrade, interfere with, or nullify the capability of radar relied upon the Federal Aviation Administration or the Armed Forces.” Smith’s amendment, cosponsored by Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Andy Harris (R-MD), comes in response to the Biden Administration’s rush to install thousands of offshore wind turbines in some . . . Complete story »
