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 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.
Wind turbines are interfering with TV signal in Rogaland, authorities order temporary shutdown
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) ordered the Vardafjellet wind power plant in Rogaland to stop all its turbines because they disturb the TV signal. The turbines must be stopped until the problems have been fixed. The NVE was informed that the newly built wind farm affected the neighbors’ TV signal this autumn. The wind power plant was told to fix the issues by November 6. As the plant failed to do so, it was ordered to stop . . . Complete story »
Dropped turbine part could lead to lawsuit
A claim might be filed against the Port of Lewiston after a wind turbine component being unloaded from a barge dropped 8 to 10 feet. Omega Morgan, a company involved in handling the cargo, sent the Port of Lewiston a notice of intent to file a claim that doesn’t specify an amount after an Oct. 23 mishap involving a base of a wind turbine tower, Port Manager David Doeringsfeld said. The port and Omega Morgan plan to have different experts . . . Complete story »
Councillors reject ‘astonishing’ bid to impose two-year ban on path users at Caithness wind farm site
A bid to ban walkers from using a footpath for two years during the construction of a Caithness wind farm has been rejected after one councillor called it an “astonishing” request. Councillor Nicola Sinclair argued that allowing the company behind Limekiln wind farm to close off access to the 7.8km core path would set a dangerous precedent as it would mean the developer riding roughshod over public opinion and access rights. Another councillor claimed that the attempt to exclude people . . . Complete story »
Falmouth board angered by state response in wind turbine removal
FALMOUTH, MA – After a decade of issues regarding two wind turbines at the Falmouth wastewater treatment plant, town officials said they are no closer to seeing them dismantled. The wind turbines were built in 2010 and 2013, and since then, neighboring residents have filed several lawsuits alleging the turbines ruined their quality of life, kept them from sleeping, caused physical distress and loss of property value. The lengthy legal battle proceeded until the Falmouth Select Board voted in July 2017 . . . Complete story »
Falmouth might need special legislation to move wind turbines
Falmouth will likely require special legislation to dismantle and dispose of the two wind turbines at the wastewater treatment plant site on Blacksmith Shop Road. “Under my review, because the town was not able to get the approval of the state to do a 25A procurement, this really presents a myriad of procurement and disposal issues, and legal issues, to try to move these turbines to some other parcel of land,” attorney Christopher W. Morog told the Falmouth Select Board . . . Complete story »
Row over ‘scandal’ of Scots green jobs going abroad as Bifab ‘loses’ cut of major wind farm contract
A fresh row has emerged over Scots firms losing out on wind farm revolution jobs after it union leaders manufacturing firm Burntisland Fabrications (Bifab) has failed to get a slice of a major multi-million offshore wind farm contract. The Herald has previously revealed that no final decisions had yet been confirmed over whether Canadian-owned Bifab, with yards in Arnish and Fife, would get a cut of the action in the creation of one of the country’s biggest offshore wind farms, . . . Complete story »
Huge windfarm project 37km off Jersey’s south coast already having a ‘massive impact’ on fishing
The head of the Fishermen’s Association in Jersey says the loss of French fishing grounds due to a wind farm project off the coast of St Brieuc is putting increased pressure on local fishing grounds. The project, which has been in planning for almost a decade, has now moved into the groundworks testing and manufacturing stage, displacing parts of the French fishing fleet. Under the Granville Bay Treaty, Jersey and French fishermen have access to parts of each other’s waters . . . Complete story »
NextEra official gets earful from S.D. regulators over road damage at Crowned Ridge wind site
The supervisor for a company that owns a wind farm being constructed in northeastern South Dakota was on the receiving end of criticism Tuesday from all three members of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The commissioners made clear they want NextEra Energy Resources to be prompter in having local roads repaired at the Crowned Ridge project in Codington and Grant counties. Their comments were polite but blunt to Sean Harrington. He oversees project construction for the Florida-based company. Commission . . . Complete story »
Lawsuit over road maintenance even more likely
After months of impasse over the condition of Diamond Vista wind farm haul route roads, the county is apparently inching closer to filing a lawsuit against wind farm parent company Enel Green Power North America. Wichita lawyer Pat Hughes, hired by the county to handle actions against Enel, has had frequent closed-door meetings with county commissioners in recent weeks to discuss pending litigation. Hughes handles no other county business. No discussion has taken place in open meetings. For months, the . . . Complete story »
Viking vows to implement better water management measures
Wind farm developer Viking Energy has expressed its regret for allowing silt run offs from its construction site to enter nearby Sand Water, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and one of the many lochs regularly checked for its water quality as part of the project. Shetland Islands Council, speaking as the planning authority, said it had been established that mitigation measures including silt water traps and water pumps proved ineffective in the heavy rain on Tuesday morning. The . . . Complete story »
