facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts
Noteworthy
The simple truth is that the Liberals' foolish pursuit of wind power has resulted in the creation of a massive Potemkin Village in Ontario, an outwardly impressive but ultimately useless facade. In the real world, it would have been smarter, cheaper and greener for the Liberals simply to have replaced coal-fired electricity with gas-fired electricity, while completely avoiding the boondoggle of wind.
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February 24, 2013 Toronto Sun "Premier Kathleen Wynne inherits Dalton McGuinty's mess"
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Important Docs
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Adverse health effects of industrial wind turbines
This peer-reviewed paper published in the Journal of the College of Family Physicians of Canada examines the health impacts of industrial-scale wind turbines when sited in proximity of where people live. The introduction and conclusion of the paper is excerpted below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on... more »
New York State annual wind capacity factors steady at 23.5%
The New York State fleet of wind turbines with an installed capacity of 1,634 megawatts, on average across all projects, operated at under 25% annual capacity factor since 2009. more »
New Era Wind letter requesting the MN PUC suspend further consideration of the project
This letter was sent to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in reference to the Goodhue Wind project proposal now known as the New Era Wind Farm. New Era explains that it has initiated discussions to assign its power contracts to a third-party wind project developer and site. It further requests... more »
Hearing assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of wind energy incentives: Testimony of Robert Michaels PhD
Economist Robert Michaels PhD presented this important testimony at a hearing before the Oversight Subcommittee and Energy Subcommittee of the Committee on Space, Science, and Technology. Dr. Michaels addresses the inefficiencies of wind energy and high costs of the technology. The purpose of his testimony is provided below. To access... more »
Assessing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Wind Energy Incentives
The U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight and Subcommittee on Energy conducted an informative hearing on wind energy. The charter of the hearing, the witnesses who appeared and links to their testimony as well as detailed background information on the purpose of the hearing were released in this document prepared by... more »
Lawsuit: Searchlight Wind Energy Project complaint
Environmental groups and residents of Nevada have filed a complaint in U.S. District Court of Nevada challenging the Department of the Interior's permit granting Duke Energy permission to construct an 87-turbine wind energy facility east of Searchlight on 19,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land. Excerpts of the complaint... more »
Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruling on the Cherry Tree Wind Farm Pty Ltd
The Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruling on the Cherry Tree Wind Farm Pty Ltd proposal to erect 16 industrial scale wind turbines (3.5 MW each). This ruling is unique in that the Commissioners deferred a decision on the impact of the project on human health until further, planned studies... more »
Iberdrola Groton Wind: Mechanics Lien Filed Against the Wind Project and Owner
Alvin J. Coleman & Son has filed a Mechanics Lien in the State of New Hampshire for the amount of $3,490,781. The Lien was filed against Cianbro Corporation, Groton Wind LLC, Iberdrola Renewables LLC, Iberdrola Energy Projects Inc, Yankee Forest Limited Liability Company and others. The full document can be... more »
Mason County wind farm neighbors sue Consumers Energy: Complaint Filed
This lawsuit filed against Consumers Energy Company, owner of the Lake Winds Energy Park consisting of fifty-six Vestas V100 1.8 megawatt turbines with a total installed capacity of 100.8 megawatts. An excerpt of the complaint is provided below. The full complaint can be accessed by clicking on the links at... more »
Wind Farm Noise and Human Perception: A Review
This important report prepared by noise acoustician, Robert Thorne PhD of Noise Measurement Services in Australian, provides a comprehensive explanation of our "state of understanding" regarding wind turbine noise and the effects of the noise on communities.
more »
Comparing bird and bat fatality-rate estimates among North American wind-energy projects
The Wildlife Society's March Bulletin included this impacting paper by Dr. Shawn Smallwood who compares post-construction bird and bat fatality assessments conducted across the United States. He estimates 888,000 bat and 573,000 bird fatalities/year (including 83,000 raptor fatalities) at 51,630 megawatt (MW) of installed wind-energy capacity in the United States... more »
Evaluating Bird and Bat Post-Construction Impacts at the Sheffield Wind Facility, Vermont
The Sheffield Wind Energy facility, a 40 megawatt project that went into service in October 2011, released the first season of bird/bat mortality. Total bird fatality estimates for the project site for the entire season was 211 (95% CI: 147, 321), with an estimated 13.17 birds killed per turbine (95%... more »
The effect of wind energy development on bats
This report from Boston University is about a year old but well worth the read. "For such small animals, bats have unusually low reproductive rates, with an average mother producing only one or two young each year. At this rate, it could take decades to reverse dramatic losses to bat... more »
Property value impact & zoning compliance evaluation
This presentation prepared by appraiser Michael McCann examines the various studies that look at property value impacts near operating wind energy facilities. In this case, Mr. McCann looks at the Tipton County, Indiana ordinance and the effects of the proposed Juwi Wind project known as Prairie Breeze Wind Farm. The... more »
Ruling on Saddleback Ridge Wind noise levels
In this important ruling by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, the court found that a proposed wind project that was accepted for review by the State prior to more restrictive nighttime sound emissions limits being adopted, would still be subject to the new sound limits. The full ruling can be... more »
Testimony of Will Staats
William Staats is a wildlife biologist for the New Hampshire Fish and Game. He submitted this testimony before the State of Vermont, where he resides. Mr. Staats has direct experience with the impacts of industrial scale wind energy development on New Hampshire ridgelines. His testimony provides critical insight into the... more »
NH House Committee petition on establishing siting criteria for wind-powered energy facilities
This petition by the New Hampshire House Science, Technology and Energy Committee asks the State's Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) to adopt rules establishing comprehensive procedures and siting criteria for applications for certificates for wind-powered energy facilities. The SEC which is authorized to certificate projects greater than 30 MW must respond... more »
Fairhaven Wind letter: Turbine noise studies tainted
The wind developer for Fairhaven Wind, two industrial-scale towers built near residences, has admitted that the sound survey conducted on October 15, 2012 was tainted due to one of the turbines, while still spinning, was not producing power. The developer insists human error was the cause but claims the no... more »
Critique of South Australian EPA study on Infrasound Levels New Wind farms and other Environments
Dr. Steven Cooper, an Australian acoustician with considerable experience measuring wind turbine sound emissions, prepared this important and detailed critique of a study sponsored by the South Australia EPA on low-frequency noise. The SA EPA report insisted that infrasound emitted by wind turbines was not different from infrasound from other... more »
Ross McKitrick, Ph.D - comments regarding the K2 Wind Power Project
Dr. Ross McKitrick, Professor of Economics at the University of Guelph specializing in energy and environmental policy, submitted these comments regarding the K2 Wind Power Project to the Ontario Energy Board. A summary of his comments are excerpted below. His full letter can be accessed by selecting the links at... more »
Nevada Supreme Court Order: Wind turbine a nuisance
This unanimous decision by the Nevada Supreme Court could have impacts across the U.S. The Court lays out a clear and convincing explanation for why a personal wind turbine in a residential subdivision should be prohibited. In the order, Justice Jim Hardesty covers noise, property value impacts and the effect... more »
Grey Highlands 2012 wind turbine noise survey
New scientific measurements reveal that industrial wind turbines (IWTs) in Ontario routinely exceed acceptable noise limits set by Ministry of Environment (MOE) guidelines. The data show that when wind turbines are present, the associated sound pressure levels are repeatedly higher than government guidelines permit during the day, evenings and late... more »
Wind Turbine noise complaint predictions made easy
This straightforward, easy to understand analysis by acousticians Stephen Ambrose and Robert Rand provide insight in to predicting whether wind turbine noise will result in community complaints. The report has four parts. Part 1 is shown below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the links at the... more »
‘Wind turbine syndrome’: fact or fiction?
This important study published in the The Journal of Laryngology & Otology found there is evidence to suggest that low frequency noise can affect inner ear function; the outer hair cells of the cochlear respond to sounds at frequencies known to be produced by wind turbines. In comments by the... more »
Wisconsin Towns Association adopts wind turbine moratorium resolution
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and the State of Wisconsin enact a moratorium to stop the permitting and installation of industrial wind turbines until further studies are done, solutions are found, and the State's wind siting rule (PSC 128) is modified to implement standards... more »
American Taxpayer Investment, Foreign Corporation Benefit
This report prepared by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee examines how American taxpayers have paid out nearly $4 billion to foreign-owned companies as part of a stimulus program that pays cash grants to green-energy firms.
Republicans on the Committee charged that the Treasury Department-administered program has "failed" in... more »
Are global wind power resource estimates overstated?
This important paper from Harvard examines the how each wind turbine creates behind it a "wind shadow" in which the air has been slowed down by drag on the turbine's blades. This drag interferes with other turbines in the project thus reducing the actual output of the facility. The full... more »
Experimental study of the impact of large-scale wind farms on land–atmosphere exchanges
This recent paper examines the impact of large-scale wind energy facilities on weather around the project site and globally. The abstract is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) at the bottom of this page. more »
Court ruling: Offshore wind not an alternative for baseload generation
This important ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) finding that offshore wind is not a reasonable alternative for baseload generation produced by nuclear power plants. The NRC further concluded that the intermittent nature of wind power means that... more »
Vermont Electric Cooperative recommends 2-year moratorium on further renewable power supply mandates
The Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) Board of Directors passed a resolution recommending a moratorium of up to two years on renewable power supply mandates. The recommendation will be made to the Vermont Legislature more »
Low Frequency and Infrasound at the Shirley Wind Farm in Brown County, Wisconsin
This report was the focus of a study requested by, and partly sponsored by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The purpose was to determine whether infrasound was present in the homes of three families in the footprint of the Shirley Wind project owned by Duke Energy. These families have... more »
FOI reveals MOE plan to help families impacted by turbines - but where did the report go?
The Ontario government took almost 1½ years to respond to a freedom of information act regarding wind turbine noise emissions and the impact on the public. Despite claims that there were over 300 pages collected, a scant 26 pages were released and many of those pages are heavily redacted. But... more »
Ontario Proposed Abatement Plan for turbine noise buried despite home abandonments
The Melancthon I and Melancthon II wind energy facilities (200 megawatts), known as Melancthon EcoPower Center, began commercial operation in March 2006. Since that time, numerious complaints of turbine noise and other adverse effects were reported; homes were abandoned. The Ontario government took almost 1½ years to respond to a... more »
The Hidden Costs of Wind Electricity
This important document examines the real cost of wind power after factoring in accomodations for wind's variable nature and the need to site projects long distances from load. more »
Rewiring California: Integrating Agendas For Energy Reform
This report by the California Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission, an independent state oversight agency, calls on State leaders to direct the state’s energy organizations to assess the cumulative impact of recent major energy-related policies on electricity rates and reliability and whether these policies are achieving California’s energy and environmental... more »
Unintended Consequences of Green Technologies
Abstract: Green technologies (e.g. wind turbines, solar cells, and biofuels) and initiatives (e.g. efficiency, recycling, and organics) yield distinct unanticipated consequences that can partially or fully offset intended environmental benefits. more »
Michael Nissenbaum MD responds to turbine noise complaints and 'nocebo' claims
These important comments prepared by Dr. Michael Nissenbaum respond to questions raised by the Australian Senate Environment & Communications committee during its inquiry into wind turbine noise. In particular, Dr. Nissenbaum explains how the 'nocebo' effect is not a factor and that health complaints reported by those living near large... more »
Using wind tunnels to predict bird mortality in wind farms: The case of Griffon Vultures
This recent paper offers important data on how birds use wind flows to aid in flight and how modeling wind flow across complex terrain can assist in siting wind energy facilities to reduce avian mortality. more »
Maine DEP order denying Passadumkeag wind park
The State of Maine Board of Environmental Protection denied the application of Passadumkeag WInd Park LLC to construct a 14-turbine, grid-scale, wind energy development. The denial was tied to the impact of the turbines on Scenic Resources of State or National Significance. An brief excerpt of the order is provided... more »
Green jobs program: Limited success in meeting employment and retention goals as of June 30, 2012
The U.S. Recovery Act provided $500 million for research, labor exchange, and job training projects to prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy. The main focus of the Green Jobs training program was to prepare individuals for jobs in Green industry sectors. This report by the U.S.... more »
Energizing Prosperity in Vermont
This document, prepared by Campaign for Vermont, explains how the State of Vermont's aggressive effort to force utilities to buy very high cost electricity from solar, wind and small hydro dam developers, is driving up electric rates. The authors argue this ia a "misguided energy and economic policy." The executive... more »
Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health
This important paper published in Noise & Health, a bi-monthly Inter-disciplinary International Journal, examines the health impacts of wind turbine noise on individuals living nearby. The abstract and conclusion of the paper appear below. The full paper can be accessed at the link at the bottom of this page. more »
Are wind farms too close to communities?
This important paper by acoustics expert, Steven Cooper, challenges the current standards for siting wind turbines in Australia. more »
CASE STUDY: Diminution in Value, Wind Turbine Analysis
This case study investigates the impact of wind turbines on residential property values. The study looks at homes near the Melancthon Wind Facility located in Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. The project was built in two phases between 2006 and 2008. It consists of 133 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines with a total... more »
Peer Review of Environmental Noise Assessment at the Collector Wind Farm
This peer-reviewed report written by the Acoustics Group in Australia evaluates the noise impact assessment for the Collector wind farm proposed to be built in New South Wales. The project will have up to 68 turbines but the turbine make and model is still undetermined. Three turbine makes and models... more »
Negative electricity prices and the production tax credit
This important document prepared by the Northbridge Group explains how the wind production tax credit has distorted the competitive wholesale energy market thus harming the financial of other, reliable generators on the system. The executive summary of the report is provided below. The full report can be accessed by clicking... more »
PMLD admits wind facility is losing money, raising rates
This letter written by Princeton Municipal Light Department's (PMLD) General Manager, Brian Allen, offers a candid assessment of the utility's two-turbine (3.0 MW) project. The turbines have failed to live up to expected production levels. The project has also been plagued by technical problems. Rather than reducing rates for customers,... more »
The Wind PTC’s Adverse Impacts on the Electric Sector
The Exelon presentation details how the wind production tax credit is distorting the wholesale power market and financially harming other clean, reliable resources. An excerpt of the presentation is below. The full presentation can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) at the bottom of the page. more »
Wind Turbine Impacts on Military Low-Altitude Training Seymour Johnson AFB, NC
Wind energy development in North Carolina and adjoining states can adversely impact Seymour Johnson AFB aircraft utilize low-altitude training airspace. This report, prepared by the 4th Fighter Wing based at Seymour Johnson AFB, assesses the impact of wind projects sited within or near military low-altitude training airspace. The conclusions of... more »
The wind PTC: The hidden costs of wind power
Jonathan Lesser of Continental Economics delivered this presentation which addresses the flaws of the wind PTC and the hidden costs of wind power. An excerpt of his presentation is below. The full presentation can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) at the bottom of the page. more »
Australian Senator Chris Back speech before the Senate
Senator Chris Back, the Western Australia-Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate, delivered this important speech concerning the controversy surrounding the impacts of industrial turbines on human health. more »
Perception-based protection from low-frequency sounds may not be enough
Dr. Alec Salt, a expert on human ear physiology at the Cochlear Fluids Research Laboratory of Washington University in St. Louis examined the effect of low-frequency, inaudible sound, on human health. In particular, Dr. Salt investigated the very low frequency sounds and infrasound (below 20 Hz) produced by industrial-scale wind... more »
Open Letter Preliminary Submission: Health Canada Wind Turbine Noise and Health Study
An Open Letter has been sent to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Minister of Health for Canada exposing numerous insufficient procedures and processes utilized in order for Health Canada to develop a national study into the known and acknowledged adverse health effects from industrial wind installations. The Health... more »
Wind farm noise – an ethical dilemma for the Australian Acoustical Society?
Australian acoustician Steven Cooper examines the responsibility of Members of the Australian Acoustical Society to a community where people are forced to leave their homes because of wind farm "noise". His technical note can be accessed by clicking at the links at the bottom of this page. more »
Wind turbine noise impact assessment: Where ETSU is silent
This important document critiques the ETSU-R-97 environmental assessment of noise from wind turbines in the United Kingdom. The ETSU-R-97 was written by a Noise Working Group (NWG) set up in 1995 by the Department of Trade and Industry through ETSU (the Energy Technology Support Unit). The noise policy is still... more »
Wind Turbine Noise, Sleep and health July 2012
This brief filed by sleep expert, Dr. Christopher Hanning, reviews the potential consequences of wind turbine noise and, in particular, its effect on sleep and health and to make
recommendations with regard to minimum setback distances. Dr. Hanning considers whether, in the absence of new national guidance should there be minimum... more »
Wind Turbines and Ghost Stories: The Effects of Infrasound on the Human Auditory System
Researchers at UCLA in the Departments of Neuroscience, Integrative Biology & Physiology, and the Ecology & Evolitionary Biology released this paper which provides important insight into the effects of wind turbine infrasound and the human ear. The introduction and conclusion of this study are provided below. The full report... more »
BLM rejects Wilson Creek Wind Company, LLC wind farm application
The proposed Wilson Creek Wind Project would have consisted of up to 350 wind turbines generating up to 990 megawatts of electricity on approximately 31,000 acres of the public lands in the Wilson Creek Range, including Mt. Wilson, Table and White Rock mountains, and Atlanta Summit. more »
Where Are the Jobs? – The elusiveness of job creation under the section 1603 grant program for renewable energy
This important document examines the Section 1603 cash grant program relative to job creation. The report states that most current methods used to calculate jobs created by Section 1603 are largely unreliable. What accurate jobs data that exists for Section 1603 shows that it produces very few long-term jobs. Also,... more »
Department of the Interior Inspector General evaulation of BLM Renewable Energy Program
The Department of the Interior's Inspector General conducted a review of BLM's management of land leased for solar and wind projects. The findings of the IG highlighted significant failures of the Bureau related to poor monitoring of projects. Nationally, BLM has more than 30,000 acres currently under wind ROW... more »
Falmouth Health Department requests State assessment of turbine health impacts
The Falmouth Massachusetts Health Department send this letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requesting the Mass DPH immediately initiate a health assessment of the impacts of the operation of wind turbines in the town. more »
Letter to the Wyoming County New York Board of Supervisors
This informative letter with proposed resolution, compiled and signed by 166 citizens, residents and landowners of Wyoming County New York, was sent to the sixteen Wyoming County Supervisors as well as NY's congressional delegation. An excerpt of the letter appears below along with the resolution the signers were hoping to... more »
Alliance letter: FAA ignores air safety risks posed by Cape Wind
This revealing letter to the FAA documents a clear pattern of political pressure on the FAA to rush the review process of Cape Wind thus creating a possibility of threats to air safety and national security. A portion of the letter is provided below. The full letter can be accessed... more »
Falmouth Wind #1 post-construction noise survey
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection announced that one of the two turbines sited in Falmouth exceeds noise levels permitted under State law. The letter from the MassDEP confirming the findings of a sound survey as well as the study report can be accessed by clicking on the links at... more »
Mauri Johansson speech delivered at the Vestas 2012 general meeting
Dr. Mauri Johansson, MHH, a specialist in community and occupational medicine, delivered this speech at the general meeting of Vestas on Thursday March 29, 2012 in Denmark.
more »
Braithwaite v Pinnacle Wind: WV PSC Staff memo
The memo, prepared by a West Virginia Public Service Commission staff attorney, recommends the PSC investigate the noise complaints filed at the Pinnacle wind energy facility. Pinnacle Wind LLC has asked that the complaint be dismissed. more »
City of Kingsville opposes construction of industrial wind turbines
Resolution #2012-14 was adopted by the City of Kingsville through a unanimous vote of its City Commission. The resolution states the City of Kingsville opposes the construction of industrial wind turbines (wind farms) in the City of Kingsville and in Kleberg County. The full resolution can be accessed by clicking... more »
Supreme Court of Ohio order on Application of Buckeye Wind, L.L.C.
The Supreme Court of Ohio upheld an order issued by the state’s Power Siting Board approving the application of Buckeye Wind LLC to construct and operate a large-scale “wind farm” in Champaign County. The court’s 4-3 opinion authored by Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger includes dissenting opinions by two justices. The... more »
System-wide emissions implications of increased wind power penetration
A new study from Argonne National Laboratory, part of the US Department of Energy, has found that increasing wind power many not lower grid emissions as much as previously thought.
The crux of the problem is wind's intermittency -- turbines generate power only when the wind is blowing. This requires that... more »
Massachusetts Senate President responds to turbines near homes
This letter, written by Massachusetts State Senate President, Therese Murray, responds to the risks of siting turbines in residential neighborhoods. more »
Residents of Indiana oppose the PTC
Nearly 200 residents of Indiana responded to a call for signatures asking Congress to let the production tax credit to expire. The text of the letter is below. The full letter with signatures can be accessed at the link. more »
Regional labor unions press for unsafe turbine setbacks in Indiana
Wind developer, Wind Capital Group, together with the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) are pressing union members to defeat a modest 1,500 foot setback distance now under consideration in Whitley County, Indiana. This cover letter and accompanying form letter were sent to union members asking that they work to... more »
Evaluation of wind farm noise policies in South Australia
The government of South Australia issued two series of "Wind farms environmental noise guidelines" in 2003 and 2009, aiming to balance the advantage of wind energy development in South Australia with the protection of amenity of the surrounding commmity from adverse noise impacts. This briefing paper sums up a study... more »
New Hampshire Audubon Policy on Wind Energy Projects
This policy of the New Hampshire Audubon Policy on Wind Energy Projects was approved by the Board of Trustees on January 24, 2012. more »
VINALHAVEN electric rates double in two years with industrial wind turbines - Analysis
Fox Island Wind Neighbors, representing homeowners living near the three 1.5 megawatt wind turbines on the Island of Vinalhaven off the coast of Maine, delivered an analysis of local electric rates to the administration of Governor Paul LePage demonstrating that the highly acclaimed turbines -- promised to be a cost... more »
Brown County Board of Health Resolution Requesting Emergency State Aid
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Brown County Board of Health formally requests temporary emergency financial relocation assistance from the State of Wisconsin for those Brown County families that are suffering adverse health effects and undue hardships caused by the irresponsible placement of industrial wind turbines around their homes and... more »
Population-level impact of white-nose syndrome on the endangered Indiana bat
The important report examines the impact of White Nose Syndrome on Indiana bat populations and the opportunity, if any, for the populations to recover. In addition, renewable energy generation has resulted in the erection of thousands of wind turbines in the midwestern United States, resulting in significant mortality of both... more »
Letter from Vestas: Low-frequency noise and wind turbines
This important letter written by the CEO of Vestas Wind complains that proposed regulations in Denmark to address low-frequency noise will force larger setback distances. In his letter he admits: "Why it is that Vestas does not just make changes to the wind turbines so that they produce less noise?... more »
Peer review of Acoustic Assessment Flyers Creek Wind Farm
This important study exposes the significant flaws found in the preconstruction noise modelling produced for the Flyers Creek Wind Farm. The authors validated their findings by conducting noise surveys at an operating wind energy facility within the same region of Australia. more »
The Bruce McPherson infrasound and low frequency noise study
This study investigated the possible presence of infrasonic and low frequency noise emissions (ILFN) from the “WIND 1”, a municipally-owned Vestas V82 industrial wind turbine in the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts. more »
Economic impact evaluation of wind turbines in the vicinity of the Naval Air Station Kingsville
more »
Wisconsin Citizens Safe Wind Siting Guidelines
These guidelines were developed based on a need to protect Wisconsin Citizens. The population densities in the areas that most interest wind developers are much higher in Wisconsin than in other parts of the country. Wisconsin citizens are forced to live within wind generation facilities and among industrial wind turbines... more »
Wind and gas: Back-up or Back-out “That is the Question”
The focus of this report is to explore the impacts of deploying a large share of wind energy on the Northwest European power generation mix in the current market circumstances. The conclusion of the study is provided below. The full document can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) below. more »
US FWS to Heritage Sustainable Energy: No turbines within three miles of U.S. Great Lakes
In this strongly worded letter sent to Heritage Sustainable Energy, the US Fish and Wildlife Service advises Heritage to table its plans to erect a commercial wind energy facility on the Garden Peninsula because of the high potential for avian mortalities and violations of Federal wildlife laws. more »
Notice of violations of the endangered species act and act’s implementing regulations in connection with the proposed Shaffer Mountain Wind Project
This letter of intent to sue was filed with the Department of the Interior and the US Army Corps in reference to a proposed wind energy facility to be built on Shaffer Mountain in Penmsylvania. Excerpts of the letter appear below. The complete letter and supporting testimony can be accessed... more »
Cape Wind decision on FAA hazard determinations
On October 28, 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals found the FAA failed to supply any apparent analysis of the record evidence
concerning the wind farm’s potentially adverse effects on flight operations. The court vacated all 130 determinations of no hazard issued by the FAA. An excerpt of the court's ruling... more »
Bird mortality event at Laural Mountain wind farm substation: incident report
AES' Laurel Mountain wind energy facility in West Virginia experienced significant bird mortality over the weekend of October 1, 2011. Nearly 500 birds were reportedly killed after lights were left on at the electrical substation associated with the wind project. The deaths occurred due to collisions with the substation and... more »
Order of Summary Judgement: Court halts lease of state land to Coyote Wind LLC
A suit filed against the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) challenged the adequacy of the Agency's Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Coyote Wind energy facility. A portion of the wind energy project would be located on State-owned lands. The court found that there was clear and... more »
Whistling Ridge Final Adjudicative Order
The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (WA EFSEC) recently recommended approval, with conditions, of 35 turbines as part of the Whistling Ridge wind energy project. Fifty turbines were defined in the original plan submitted to the State. The final adjudicative order can be downloaded through the links at... more »
Evaluating the impact of wind turbine noise on health-related quality of life
This paper compares the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of individuals residing in the proximity of a wind farm to those residing in a demographically matched area sufficiently displaced from wind turbines. The study employed a nonequivalent comparison group posttest-only design. Self-administered questionnaires, which included the brief version of the... more »
Travis AFB Midair Collision Avoidance Pamphlets 2007 and 2011
Travis Air Force Base midair collision avoidance pamphlets (MACA) from 2007 and 2011. The 2011 pamphlet was amended to address the impact of spinning turbine blades on radar. Both pamphlets can be downloaded by clicking on the links below. The third 1-page document shown below is taken from the 2011... more »
Infrasound and low frequency noise from wind turbines: Exposure and health effects
Wind turbines emit low frequency noise (LFN) and large turbines generally generate more LFN than small turbines. The dominant source of LFN is the interaction between incoming turbulence and the blades. Measurements suggest that indoor levels of LFN in dwellings typically are within recommended guideline values, provided that the outdoor... more »
Renewable policy and jobs: Testimony of Robert J. Michaels
Dr. Michaels' testimony before Congress concerning the economics that underlies H.R. 2915, and the consequences of repealing the Western Area Power Administration’s (WAPA) $3.25 billion borrowing authority under The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. His testimony explains the realities of renewables as a source of job creation. more »
The myth of green jobs
One of the UK's leading energy and environment economists warns that the government's promise that green energy policies will create tens of thousands of jobs and stimulate competitive industries is an illusion.
In his report The Myth of Green Jobs, published today by the Global Warming Policy Foundation, Professor Gordon Hughes... more »