Wind Power News: Complaints
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.
Wind energy’s big disposal problem
Germany has more than 28,000 wind turbines – but many are old and by 2023 more than a third must be decommissioned. Disposing of them is a huge environmental problem. Expert Jan Tessmer tells DW he’s optimistic. DW: Dr Tessmer, disposing of wind turbines is extremely difficult. Their concrete bases go as deep as 30 meters into the ground, and are hard to fully remove, while the rotor blades contain glass and carbon fibers – they give off dust and toxic gases . . . Complete story »
Otter Creek Wind Farm making turbine foundation changes
The owners of the proposed 12-turbine Otter Creek Wind Farm north of Wallaceburg say they will not be using foundations that require pile driving, and will instead be using a spreadfoot system that requires a few metres of foundation depth. Boralex said the decision was made to appease members of the community who have expressed concern over pile driving. Adam Rosso, director of project development for the Otter Creek Wind Farm project, said after doing research and analysis on other . . . Complete story »
White Pines charged under Environmental Protection Act
While not yet operational, the White Pines Wind Project is drawing scrutiny from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. A lawyer representing the nine-turbine industrial wind project was in the provincial offences court on King Street in Picton on Friday as the project is facing three charges stemming from alleged contraventions discovered by Ministry officials in May. Making its first court appearance in relation to the matter, wpd was answering three charges of failing to maintain a silt fence, . . . Complete story »
Zoning director recommends additional testing in wind complaint
HURON COUNTY – A Port Hope man who filed a complaint against a wind farm in 2016 is making headway with county officials after a board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday. At the meeting, about nine people came to the defense of Robert Gaffke, saying his nearly two-year-old ongoing complaint against Big Turtle Wind Farm ought to be resolved by the board of commissioners. Gaffke argues in a complaint that wind turbines near his home are too loud. As required . . . Complete story »
Wrong wind turbines create traffic chaos in the north
Major tailbacks were experienced by motorists in the north of Scotland after giant wind turbine parts had to be sent back – because they were the wrong size. Motorists using the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road had already experienced weeks of delays as components of the Moray Dorenell Wind Farm were delivered from Inverness. But at the start of June it emerged that six huge parts would have to be sent back as they will not connect into the ground. . . . Complete story »
Disruption as Moray windfarm convoy rumbles on
There was fresh disruption on a northern roads at the weekend as wind farm bosses return massive – and incorrectly sized – turbine parts to Inverness. Motorists using the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road experienced weeks of delays as components of the Moray Dorenell Wind Farm were delivered. But at the start of June it emerged that six huge parts would have to be sent back as they will not connect into the ground. Engineers discovered the huge base parts . . . Complete story »
Austin political operative accused of high jinks by Oklahoma official
A longtime Austin-based campaign consultant, once known as Dr. Dirt for his ability to uncover compromising political material, has been accused in federal court of tampering with the property of an Oklahoma state lawmaker by allegedly telling private investigators to put a GPS tracking device on the lawmaker’s pickup. A lawsuit claims that George Shipley – who has worked mostly for Democrats, including as an adviser to the late Gov. Ann Richards – targeted Oklahoma state Rep. Mark McBride, a Republican who . . . Complete story »
Oklahoma grand jury subpoenas Texas men in tracking case
The president of a Texas-based wind energy trade group has been subpoenaed to appear before an Oklahoma grand jury looking into a state lawmaker’s claim that someone connected to the industry put a tracking device on his pickup. Court documents filed in Austin, Texas, show The Wind Coalition President Jeffrey Clark has been directed to appear before the Oklahoma multicounty grand jury in June. The subpoena also seeks business records pertaining to “research and data gathering activities” linked to Rep. . . . Complete story »
Chatham-Kent to cover cost of baseline water testing
People concerned about their water wells in the north Kent area can now get baseline testing done for free. At this week’s meeting, Chatham-Kent council approved a motion to cover the cost of water testing. Councillor for that area, Leon Leclair, said he sympathizes with the families whose well waters have become undrinkable and said they need to find out more about why it’s happening. “There’s nothing that’s jumping out at us right now,” said Leclair. Residents who have complained . . . Complete story »
Hopkinton supervisor calls out two councilors for meeting with wind company while she was on vacation
HOPKINTON – The town supervisor called out Two Hopkinton Town Council members for meeting with wind company officials while she was vacationing in Florida. Town Supervisor Susan Wood said she was made aware that a meeting was held between council members Sue Lyon and Steve Parker and Avangrid officials less than five minutes before the May 21 board meeting. “I asked them at the end of the meeting if this was correct and Steve Parker confirmed they had met when I . . . Complete story »
