Wind Power News: Accidents
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.
After appeal, three companies involved in the wind farm death of Chehalis man will pay out full $549,874
After settling an appeal in July with a state appeals board, the three companies found to have violated worksite safety laws that led to the death of a worker at the Skookumchuck Wind Farm will pay out the full $549,874 originally levied against them last year. A Washington state Department of Labor and Industries spokesperson confirmed the information to The Chronicle this week after manslaughter charges were levied against five site workers earlier this week in Lewis County Superior Court. . . . Complete story »
5 charged with manslaughter in death of worker during construction of wind farm
Five people are facing manslaughter charges for the death of a Chehalis man who died in January 2020 when a trench that had not been reinforced collapsed during construction of the Skookumchuck Wind Farm along the border of Lewis and Thurston counties. The charges were filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 9 – 20 months after the death of 24-year-old Jonathan F. Stringer, who left behind a young daughter and a fiancée. Three of the co-defendants – site foreman Matt . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine topples at Bow Lake
BluEarth Renewables has taken all of its wind turbines offline at the Bow Lake Wind Facility north of Sault Ste. Marie after one of the turbines on site was severely damaged last week. A spokesperson for BluEarth informed SooToday that it responded to an incident resulting in structural damage to a wind turbine at the Bow Lake Wind Facility at approximately 12 a.m. Aug. 28. Reader submitted photos show the turbine resting in pieces on the ground. The company says . . . Complete story »
Cause of damage to 2 wind turbines near Helena being investigated
HELENA, Okla. – Two wind turbines along County Road 650 south of Helena were damaged earlier this month, though the cause of the damage still is under investigation. Bryan Garner, director of communications at NextEra Energy Resources, said in an email the turbines at the Skeleton Creek Energy Center were damaged on Aug. 11 and 12. Garner said turbine malfunction is “extremely rare.” “We believe this was an isolated mechanical incident, and the cause of the damage is still under investigation,” . . . Complete story »
Photos, video show train slamming into semi-truck hauling wind turbine blade in Luling
LULING, Texas – Videos and pictures are circulating on social media, displaying a harmful crash in Luling involving a train and a semi-truck that was hauling a wind turbine blade. The metropolis of Luling is nearly an hour away from San Antonio, and 25 miles west of Seguin. The crash occurred Sunday afternoon after the semi-truck was seemingly stopped on the railroad tracks on Highway 183 for an unknown motive. Just moments later, the railroad crossing gate’s arms got here . . . Complete story »
Train blasts through truck carrying wind turbine propeller through Luling
BEXAR COUNTY (KTSA News) – A Union Pacific train crashed into a truck hauling a wind turbine propeller in Luling Sunday afternoon. Witness videos show the truck was turning north onto Magnolia Avenue from Pierce Street to continue its journey along U.S. 183 through the town at around 2:40 p.m. Sunday. Caleb Brandon, via Facebook The truck appeared to be stopped on the tracks as it was navigating the turn. Witness video shows the railroad crossing arms then start lowering onto . . . Complete story »
VIDEO: Train crashes into 18-wheeler with wind turbine blade attached
LULING, Texas – An 18-wheeler pulling a wind turbine blade rolled over after being struck by a train in Luling on Sunday. Union Pacific officials said the train collided with the 18-wheeler around 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of U.S. 90 and U.S. 183. The Luling Police Department said the Northern Lights Specialized Transport truck was partially across the railroad track when it was struck by the train. The truck and trailer were overturned. Police said the trailer split, and . . . Complete story »
Family of New Cumnock windfarm worker who froze to death welcome convictions
The family of a windfarm worker who froze to death feel they now have justice after two firms were convicted over the tragedy. Ronnie Alexander, 74, died at the Afton windfarm near New Cumnock, Ayrshire after being stranded during severe weather. The security guard from Kilmarnock succumbed to hypothermia after his cabin generator failed leaving him without electricity or heat. Employers CSM Facilities and windfarm bosses Farrans Construction were convicted today [August 25] at Ayr Sheriff Court over the death . . . Complete story »
Wind farm firms admit safety breaches over worker who froze to death
A construction company and a security firm have admitted breaching health and safety rules in an incident which led to the death of a 74-year-old wind farm security guard. Ronnie Alexander died in hospital in January 2018. He had been “exposed to extreme weather conditions” for several hours at the Afton wind farm construction site, near New Cumnock. Another security guard was also exposed to the heavy snow and cold. At Ayr Sheriff Court, construction firm Northstone (NI) Ltd and . . . Complete story »
The Block Island wind farm has largely shut down
Folks on Block Island have become accustomed to showing off their five-turbine wind farm, which you can see from much of the small island, the giant blades usually tumbling around on the horizon. And Ørsted, the Danish multinational utility that bought the farm from the wind company established by Rhode Island political insiders, likes to use it as a showpiece, one of America’s first functioning offshore wind farms. And so I can understand why no one wants to talk about . . . Complete story »
