Wind Power News: Victories
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.
Norway scraps national wind power plan after protests
Norway has scrapped plans for a national wind power development framework, citing the strength of protests against the proposal. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) had suggested the country’s future onshore wind activity should focus on 13 areas designated particularly suitable for development. But the government said a consultation on the plan prompted 5,000 responses “most of which were critical from private individuals who do not want wind power in their municipality”. Energy and petroleum minister Kjell Børge . . . Complete story »
Government drops state windmill plan
Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s conservative coalition is scrapping a new national wind energy plan that identified specific areas as best-suited for windmills. It proved to be highly controversial, prompting Solberg to back down after massive criticism that huge wind turbines can ruin scenic wilderness and that local objections could be overruled. “This was supposed to be a measure that would ease conflicts,” Solberg told state broadcaster NRK, referring to the “national framework” for land-based wind energy proposed by the state . . . Complete story »
Champaign County wind farm project tabled
The developer of a proposed wind farm in Champaign County no longer has the certificates needed to build the project. Attorneys representing the Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC projects asked the Ohio Power Sitting Board to relinquish certificates that were approved for those projects nearly a decade ago. They also asked to withdraw any pending amendments filed since then. “From our standpoint, the cases are all closed now and the company no longer has the certificates to construct . . . Complete story »
County says no to wind farm
FRANKFORT, Ind. – Clinton County commissioners upheld a moratorium against wind turbines Sept. 16, continuing its ban on wind farms. The moratorium has been in place since February 2017. Tim Wyrick, a sixth-generation Clinton County farmer, was disappointed in the decision. “It’s a very good project and a great paying contract,” he said. “It was going to pay our county $30 million over a 30-year period of time. “Opposition to this project convinced our county commissioners not to lift the moratorium . . . Complete story »
White Pines Wind Farm decommissioning to begin Oct. 15
The municipality has announced wpd Canada will begin decommissioning its White Pines Wind industrial turbines project in South Marysburgh on Oct. 15, 2019. The statement indicates the first phase of the work involves a crane arriving to lower the towers to the ground. That work is to take place between Oct. 15 and Jan. 31, 2020. The second phase of decommissioning, is anticipated to begin in April 2020, for the removal and remediation of infrastructure installed for the project. The . . . Complete story »
Turbines to come down next month at White Pines Wind Farm
A controversial wind power project in Prince Edward County will be decommissioned next month after being cancelled by the provincial government last year. The White Pines Wind Farm, in South Marysburgh, was a hot topic of debate across the county and was shrunk down to nine turbines, before public pressure led the Ontario PCs to fully cancel the project in 2018, within months of being elected. Four of those turbines had been built prior to the cancellation and Prince Edward . . . Complete story »
Wind farm project officially declared ‘denied’
It’s been just about two months since the Henry County Planning Commission did not approve a wind farm request. Thursday, the planning commission members made it official: they have denied a request from Big Blue River Wind Farm. The wind farm company originally asked for a commission approved use (CAU) to move forward with a project of 38 turbines in northwestern Henry County. The planning commission hosted a public hearing July 23 at Bundy Auditorium and listened to comments for . . . Complete story »
Wind farm refused over Southern Upland Way impact
A wind farm appeal has been refused amid concerns it would spoil the enjoyment of a stretch of a popular south of Scotland walking route. Developer Energiekontor wanted to build 11 turbines at Cornharrow east of Carsphairn in Dumfries and Galloway. It appealed to the Scottish government over the local authority’s failure to give a decision on the plans. A reporter has now ruled their impact on landscape and “enjoyment of cultural heritage” would be unacceptable. It was accepted that . . . Complete story »
Buckeye Wind project is dead, for now
Buckeye Wind has notified the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) of “relinquishment and withdrawal” of certificates to construct as many as 50 utility-scale wind turbines in an area that rests primarily north of U.S. Route 36. The company is also withdrawing its application to amend the certificates. “Buckeye Wind LLC and Champaign Wind LLC have relinquished the Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need issued for the Buckeye Wind project as construction activities have not commenced as required under the . . . Complete story »
Buckeye Wind Blows Away
After nearly thirteen years, EverPower and its successor, Innogy, has surrendered its certificates for the Champaign Wind and Buckeye Wind projects in Champaign County Ohio. A copy of the official relinquishment is attached. There will likely be a report in the Urbana Daily Citizen tomorrow and we will make it available to you. Steadfast community resistance can be a long and often thankless endeavor. We are grateful to those who go the distance, exhausted by the journey which seems to . . . Complete story »
