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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Lawsuits Seek to Restore Federal Protections for Migratory Birds
WASHINGTON— A coalition of national environmental groups today filed litigation in the Southern District of New York challenging the Trump administration’s move to eliminate longstanding protections for waterfowl, raptors and songbirds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Groups filing the litigation – National Audubon Society v. Department of the Interior —included the American Bird Conservancy, Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. In a legal opinion issued December . . . Complete story »
Citizens’ group charges Environment Minister with violation of Environmental Protection Act
The president of Wind Concerns Ontario (WCO), a volunteer-led coalition of 30 community groups and many Ontario families, has filed a private prosecution against the Honourable Chris Ballard, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), for violating Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act (EPA). Private prosecutions are important tools in empowering private citizens to hold those persons in power to account. The EPA prohibits anyone from permitting the “discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment, if the discharge causes or . . . Complete story »
Largest ever database of U.S. wind turbines released
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), in collaboration with public and private partners, has released the most comprehensive publicly available database yet of U.S. wind turbine locations and characteristics. The United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) will allow unparalleled ability for government agencies and others to make planning decisions. The USWTDB, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and developed as part of a public-private partnership with the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and in collaboration . . . Complete story »
Senate approves legislation protecting landowners by allowing local governments to regulate the wind industry in Tennessee
NASHVILLE – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation today protecting landowners by allowing local governments to regulate the wind energy industry in Tennessee. Senate Bill 1793, sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) and Representative Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), comes after legislation was passed last year requiring a study be conducted regarding wind turbines and their impact on Tennessee communities and surrounding property owners. That legislation, also sponsored by Bailey and Sexton, placed a moratorium on wind turbines until July 1, 2018, . . . Complete story »
Greater Phoenix Chamber Opposes “Clean Energy For A Healthy Arizona Amendment”
PRESS STATEMENT MEDIA CONTACT: Janelle Tassart C: 480.215.2149 | O: 602.495.6480 jtassart@phoenixchamber.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2018 Greater Phoenix Chamber Opposes ballot initiative “clean energy for a healthy arizona amendment” PHOENIX – Today, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors opposed the proposed ballot initiative titled the Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona Amendment. This initiative, filed by an out-of-state group funded primarily by California billionaire Tom Steyer, would amend Arizona’s State Constitution and require Arizona utility . . . Complete story »
Understanding Vermont’s Energy Policies
Vermonters for a Clean Environment has released a report, Understanding Vermont’s Energy Policies. It describes five current policies, and explains how they are not doing what Vermonters expect regarding energy policy and consumption. The five policies the paper reviews are: • Renewable Energy Standard (RES) • standard-offer program • net-metering program • Act 174’s energy planning process • Arbitrage with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) Most Vermonters accept the reality of climate change and support the transition to renewable energy from . . . Complete story »
PSC expands size of projects eligible to participate in clean energy program
The New York State Public Service Commission announced it would now allow even larger projects to participate in the state’s fast-growing clean-energy program, which will allow more renewable energy projects to be built while driving down overall costs for consumers. “Expanding access to cost-effective, clean energy is a primary goal of New York’s clean energy standard, which will create enough renewable energy to meet half of the state’s electricity needs by 2030,” PSC Chair John B. Rhodes said. “Our decision . . . Complete story »
Town of Redfield Concerned About Mad River Wind Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Town of Redfield Concerned About Mad River Wind Development Wind project threatens health, environment, economy, and national security REDFIELD, NEW YORK (January 30, 2018) – The Town of Redfield, NY has filed comments in response to a proposal to construct a 350-megawatt wind farm in the town. According to a Preliminary Scoping Statement (PSS) filed with the New York Public Service Commission, Atlantic Wind LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avangrid LLC, is seeking approval to construct an . . . Complete story »
Ontario Environment Ministry sued over failure to protect public from industrial wind turbine noise
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2018 /CNW/ – A judicial review application has been filed against the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (“MOECC”) in the Divisional Court in Toronto. The application alleges Ontario regulations and directives limit the amount of noise any residence in the province should have to tolerate from a wind project. Modelling is used to predict these impacts. The MOECC has admitted previous guidelines resulted in underestimates of the noise at nearby homes. However, without any evidence . . . Complete story »
Executive Order: An Order Establishing the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission
An Order Establishing the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission January 24, 2018 2018-002 WHEREAS, Tourism is a major industry in the State of Maine, attracting over 35 million visitors in 2016 who spent nearly $6 billion; and WHEREAS, the scenic vistas and pristine waters of Western Maine, our coast and coastal islands, and our significant avian migratory pathways (the Areas) attract significant tourism to the State; and WHEREAS, the visitors to the Areas in Maine are known to come to . . . Complete story »
