http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/21629 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:01:47 GMT Breaches of health and safety regulations cost Vestas Blades nearly £500,000, a court was told. The Newport turbine blademaker, which is set to close, was fined a maximum £10,000 by Island magistrates and told to pay £25,000 of the Health and Safety Executive's costs. http://www.windaction.org/articles/21629 http://www.windaction.org/articles/19019 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:25:44 GMT When the Bureau County Board voted to exclude a certain type of wind turbine from consideration for seven Walnut Ridge sites, the company was understandably concerned. ...On Nov. 17, Suzlon issued a statement regarding the S88. According to the statement, the problem with the S88 near Buda was with the V2 version, which has since been replaced with the V3 version. http://www.windaction.org/articles/19019 http://www.windaction.org/articles/18262 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:44:47 GMT Rumours that giant wind turbines at Camber are sinking into the marsh have been scotched. Neale East, of the Wind Farm Liaison Group, said: "No they are not sinking. There is no truth in this whatsoever. "All 26 turbines are now up and the next construction work to take place will be putting up three metereological masts. http://www.windaction.org/articles/18262 http://www.windaction.org/articles/17168 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:45:28 GMT The permits for the 14 turbines were tabled at the board's June 14 meeting upon request of the wind farm developers after rural Walnut resident Kurt Geldean opposed the turbines, saying they would interfere with the use of his private airstrip. Addressing the zoning board Wednesday, Mike Donahue, representing Walnut Ridge developers Midwest Energy, said a verbal agreement was reached with Geldean just prior to the start of the meeting. The verbal agreement called for the withdrawal of five turbines, with Geldean agreeing not to oppose the other nine. http://www.windaction.org/articles/17168 http://www.windaction.org/articles/15505 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:35:26 GMT Essex OPP Insp. Rick Derus says it's too dangerous and contrary to Ontario Ministry of Transportation regulations to wait until the evening to move the oversized trucks carrying wind turbine parts to Port Alma. ...He was responding to a request initiated Monday by Town of Essex Coun. Randy Voakes, who wants the MTO to authorize shifting the truck movements to the evening, as a way of avoiding daytime traffic jams. http://www.windaction.org/articles/15505 http://www.windaction.org/articles/15133 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:45:19 GMT The federal government has rejected a proposal to install a wind turbine at a high school in Portsmouth. The Federal Aviation Administration says the 213-foot-tall wind turbine proposed for Portsmouth High School would be too high. The FAA says the plan needs to be modified. The agency had earlier rejected a proposed turbine at Portsmouth Middle School. ...Voters last fall approved a $3 million bond to build a wind turbine at either the middle school or high school. http://www.windaction.org/articles/15133 http://www.windaction.org/articles/14756 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:02:48 GMT Touted as a viable alternative to coal, gas and nuclear, the bid to cover the UK in wind turbines is now facing mounting opposition. Not only are they under attack from their neighbours, airports, and tourist attractions they are also coming under fire from the military. The Ministry of Defence has already opposed at least four wind farms in Northumberland, saying they make it impossible to detect aircraft flying overhead. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the chief of the defence staff, insists the UK's radar capabilities must not be impaired. At a public inquiry into plans for 18 turbines at Middlemoor near Alnwick, these objections were raised. http://www.windaction.org/articles/14756 http://www.windaction.org/articles/14614 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:56:08 GMT National air traffic control bosses are to tell a Northumberland wind farm inquiry that allowing the turbines to be built would be disastrous for the environment. The three wind farms planned for the Kirkwhelpington area north of Hexham have already met with objections from Tynedale Council, the Ministry of Defence and Newcastle Airport. ...But their biggest concern is that any change to flight paths will lead to more fuel being needed at a time when the aviation industry is coming under immense criticism by environmental groups for the huge amounts of fuel burnt high up in the atmosphere every day. In documents put before the public planning inquiry into 59 turbines by three energy companies, NATS bosses have warned the wind farms would indirectly contribute to climate change. http://www.windaction.org/articles/14614 http://www.windaction.org/articles/14017 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 06:07:29 GMT Two St. Lucie Nuclear Plant employees have raised safety concerns about wind turbines damaging the plant, but Florida Power & Light Co. officials maintain there is no danger. The concerns are raised in internal documents from FPL that were sent anonymously to County Attorney Dan McIntyre on Thursday. ...One of the messages recommends discontinuing the project on FPL property. A manager posted a response to the messages Aug. 23, noting the exact locations of the turbines still was to be determined and a safety study was underway. http://www.windaction.org/articles/14017 http://www.windaction.org/articles/13584 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:27:16 GMT The debate over onshore windfarms will be thrust back into the spotlight after mid-Norfolk planning officials performed a U-turn on proposals for six new turbines following complaints from the Ministry of Defence. ...A report by officers says: “While there is an acknowledged need to secure suitable sites for renewable energy sources, in the light of detailed objection from Defence Estates relating to the impact of the proposal upon air traffic radar and air traffic management procedures at RAF Marham, the application is recommended for refusal.” ...the Defence Estates argue the turbines would have “an unacceptable impact” on the air traffic control radar and air traffic management procedures at RAF Marham. http://www.windaction.org/articles/13584 http://www.windaction.org/articles/13293 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:33:44 GMT A meteorological tower felled during last weekend's ice storm has led some residents to further question a wind company's already controversial plans for Shaffer Mountain. "It's a concern for many residents of Shaffer Mountain. What does it say if they cannot maintain one meteorological tower?" said Karin Sedewar of Shaffer Mountain Road. Representatives from Gamesa Energy USA, whose project would build 30 turbines along the Allegheny Front, said the 262-foot tall tower likely fell due to severe weather conditions. ...Company officials stressed that a meteorological tower is very different from a turbine structure. The release described the test towers as having steel tube frames anchored by steel cables. http://www.windaction.org/articles/13293 http://www.windaction.org/articles/13153 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:04:00 GMT The windmills — officially called “Liberty 2.5 Megawatt wind turbines” — are the first of their kind to be used commercially. They brought national attention to Lackawanna for its creative reuse of an abandoned industrial site. The state-of-the-art turbines are so new that ClipperWind had anticipated a need for some tweaking here and there. But resolving the problem has been more difficult than expected. “This one’s a pain because you need a big crane,” acknowledged Bob Gates, ClipperWind senior vice president. The work is expected to take several months, Gates said. ...While the gear boxes are being replaced, Gates said a reinforcing bond will be applied to the fiberglass blades to prevent any major damage from tiny cracks that have developed on some. http://www.windaction.org/articles/13153 http://www.windaction.org/articles/13078 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:56:56 GMT We found there are no set regulations for the air medical industry in regards to wind turbines other than they're treated like any other obstacle such as cell phone towers, electrical lines, cranes, etc. in that they are "avoided" in flight. This means you typically don't fly directly over them at low altitudes and don't fly in close proximity. The FAA and the DOT had no specific recommendations, but are concerned about placement near private airports that aren't governed by their agencies. There is also some concern in counties where the plan is to place scattered wind turbines as opposed to a linear placement as you see more in the western part of the state. In a linear placement, the location of the towers is somewhat more predictable, although often only the towers on the parameters of the line are required to be lit. http://www.windaction.org/articles/13078 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12931 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:02:45 GMT "The Ministry of Defence expresses its strongest possible opposition to this proposal. "The one and only basis of its opposition is that this proposal will have a serious adverse effect on the operation and effectiveness of the Air Defence Radar System of the United Kingdom through its effect upon the radar at Brizlee Wood." The Ministry of Defence also submitted a condition to the inquiry, that, should the wind farm proposal be approved by inspector Alan Novitzky, the ultimate decision on the erection of the wind farm should lie with the Air Officer of Battleship movement, who is described as the "person best capable of making the judgement as to the effect upon the efficacy on the air defence system caused by the proposed development". http://www.windaction.org/articles/12931 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12803 Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:20:15 GMT RAF defence experts have made strong objections to a proposed 18 turbine wind farm at Middlemoor, near North Charlton, as a public inquiry continued this week. The Ministry of Defence is concerned the 125 metre high turbines would be in direct line of sight with and create unacceptable interference with the air defence radar at Brizlee Wood, near Alnwick. Squadron Leader Chris Breedon, one of the country's leading air defence experts speaking on behalf of the MoD, raised serious concerns about the possible effects of the turbines on national security. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12803 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12749 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:02:09 GMT The large parts are being brought to the site of the new windfarm on Scout Moor, near Edenfield, Lancashire. Several roads will close for up to 30 minutes between 1000 and 1400 GMT every Monday to Saturday for six months. ...Local people had objected to the windfarm, fearing problems with increased traffic, damage to an untouched landscape and the noise of the turbines as their blades turn in the wind. A statement from Peel Holdings, who is behind the site, said: "This route was considered during the public inquiry and deemed to be appropriate by the Planning Inspector, and subsequently approved by the Secretary of State. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12749 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12702 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:42:13 GMT A popular skydiving site has been saved from the threat of closure after planners unanimously voted against a bid to build a wind farm. Peterlee Parachute Centre, at Shotton Airfield, feared it would have to put a stop to jumps if the go-head was given to install two 111metre-high turbines at Edder Acres Farm. ...All nine of the members on District of Easington Council's development control committee agreed with officer recommendations the application from A7 Energy should be refused because of the impact it would have on the centre. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12702 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12687 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:45:05 GMT A County Durham parachute centre claims it could close if a third attempt to build wind turbines nearby is approved. The 100-metre high structures would be situated at Edder Acres in Shotten Colliery just over a mile from the Peterlee Parachute Centre drop zone. The centre claims parachuters would be at risk from the turbines' blades. Easington Council will consider the proposals on Thursday. Turbine operator A7 Energy said there was a one in 25m of skydivers hitting blades. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12687 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12681 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:08:02 GMT Defense Secretary Robert Gates has informed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that the military will not object to wind farms in an area of eastern Nevada, moving a $1 billion project closer to reality. Tim Carlson, a renewable energy developer, plans to build a 450-megawatt wind farm in the Wilson Creek Range area 40 miles north of Pioche. ...Hill Air Force Base in Utah has been concerned about wind-power projects in the area because wind turbines can interfere with radar. But Reid received assurances from Gates that the department will not object to wind farms in the Wilson Creek area, spokesman Jon Summers said Tuesday. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12681 http://www.windaction.org/articles/12616 Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:35:24 GMT Three Scottish windfarms were "switched off" yesterday after a massive turbine collapsed in high winds. The machine, which stands more than 200ft tall at a windfarm in Argyll, apparently "bent in half" during the storm conditions that swept Scotland on Thursday. Operator Scottish Power stopped the 26-turbine facility ahead of a probe into the cause of the collapse. The energy giant also switched off two windfarms in the south of Scotland which use the same Vestas V47 turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/12616