www.windaction.orgfacts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impactsWindactionhttp://www.windaction.org/articles/c40+116?theme=atomXarayar2006-06-12T02:16:27Z Wind energy and road development
Wind energy developers commonly downplay the impact of road construction through proposed project areas. For most ridgeline project proposals which Windaction.org has reviewed, applicants quietly state that roads will only require 11-meters (36-feet) width during construction, and quickly add that these areas will be allowed to re-vegetate back to 16-foot mountain trails. Yet, a reading of the actual road plans tells a very different story, as do actual results at completed developments.
First, be cognizant that 36-foot wide roads are as wide as a 3-lane interstate highway in the U.S. Given steep slopes and the potential for damaging runoff, comprehensive measures are needed to prevent erosion - all of which adds to the width of the cleared area. The road's subsurface and related compaction of road surface will likely prohibit re-growth beyond shallow grasses; it is questionable whether the impacted area will ever return to a forested state for decades.
The application for the Deerfield Wind project in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, a 42.5 megawatt (17 turbine) facility, will add approximately five linear miles of expansive road with a minimum 38-foot surface width. Windaction.org determined through discovery that the actual ridgeline roads would vary between forty and 160-feet.
Windaction.org encourages reviewers to be mindful of the extent of road development impacts particularly in areas that are undisturbed. The true impacts should be scrutinized and developers held accountable prior to approving any project permits.
Wind Power Honeymoon Over.382202013-04-28T17:19:50Z2013-04-28T17:19:50ZWhile many in the area embraced the new green wind power it's "honeymoon over" for Hoaglin township trustees Wayne Kemler and Milo Schaffner.
Kemler and Schaffner want Iberdrola Renewables to pick up the tab to pave 3 and a half miles of Hoaglin township roads that they say weren't properly repaired.Lowell Hydro Plant Flooding.353552012-06-30T16:16:20Z2012-06-30T16:16:20ZThe below letter sent to the Vermont Public Service Board describes a significant flooding event in the vicinity the Lowell wind energy facility under construction.State says Lowell Wind site held up well during rains.352992012-06-20T11:06:08Z2012-06-20T11:06:08ZHe is concerned that the storm water controls are insufficient and poorly designed for the area due to its steep slopes and for other reasons. He, like others, questions whether or not the site impacted nearby water quality near and if the storm caused a larger volume of water at the base of the mountain due to the run-off.Energy spent on road repairs.180692012-02-15T16:47:17Z2012-02-15T16:47:17ZIt is understood VicRoads needs about $100 million just to repair its network back to pre-wind farm era condition. The Moyne Shire needs tens of millions of dollars to fix its local roads. “Some main roads may have to be ripped up and returned to gravel because there are no funds to maintain a proper bitumen surface."Garrett wind project fined by MDE .336702011-11-22T14:37:20Z2011-11-22T14:37:20ZWhite Construction, Synergics Roth Rock Energy LLC finalized a settlement agreement to resolve alleged sediment control violations that occurred during the construction of the Roth Rock Wind Farm near Red House. The agreement requires White Construction to pay a $35,000 penalty to the Clean Water Fund.DEC Commissioner: State considers penalties for Lowell Wind problems.333432011-10-18T17:10:31Z2011-10-18T17:10:31ZLowell wind opponents were outraged that problems cropped up with the project so early in the construction phase. During storm water hearings this summer, they questioned whether the state has enough staff involved in erosion control oversight to handle high-elevation construction sites like the Lowell wind project.
Vt. orders work to stop at Lowell wind project due amid possible environmental violations.332432011-10-07T22:52:33Z2011-10-07T22:52:33ZNatural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz confirmed that the order had been issued for what an inspector determined was inadequate handling of storm runoff during the early stages of work on the project, which is being developed by Green Mountain Power Corp.
In China, the true cost of Britain's clean, green wind power experiment: Pollution on a disastrous scale.309312011-01-30T19:41:40Z2011-01-30T19:41:40ZThe reality is that, as Britain flaunts its environmental credentials by speckling its coastlines and unspoiled moors and mountains with thousands of wind turbines, it is contributing to a vast man-made lake of poison in northern China. This is the deadly and sinister side of the massively profitable rare-earths industry that the ‘green' companies profiting from the demand for wind turbines would prefer you knew nothing about.
Over €340,000 for bogslide damage caused by construction of wind farm.274232010-05-21T15:30:23Z2010-05-21T15:30:23ZA woman whose farm was damaged by a massive bogslide which occurred during the construction of the Republic's largest wind farm has secured €341,830 damages at the High Court.
Mr Justice Eamon de Valera made the award yesterday to Mary Curley, whose family have farmed 16 acres at Derrybrien, Gort, Co Galway, for three generations.
Leitrim wind farm plan turned down because of 'slope instability' risk.273252010-05-17T11:50:07Z2010-05-17T11:50:07ZA proposed wind farm on a Co Leitrim mountain comprising mainly blanket bog, has been turned down by an Bord Pleanála because of the risk of "slope instability" and surface pollution.
The board pointed out that the proposed site for the eight-turbine development on Dough mountain, five kilometres from Manorhamilton, was in a Natural Heritage Area.
Garrett wind project halted temporarily over mud runoff.264912010-04-02T12:57:03Z2010-04-02T12:57:03ZMaryland's first industrial wind farm has gotten off to a rough start, with construction temporarily halted after environmental regulators discovered mud washing from the remote Garrett County mountaintop site into a tributary of one of the state's wild and scenic rivers.
Constellation Energy has scrambled to put in stronger erosion controls as it erects more than two dozen 400-foot-tall turbines along an eight-mile stretch of Backbone Mountain.
Kerry locals in spat with wind farm firm over bog slide clean-up.230112009-09-06T01:31:49Z2009-09-06T01:31:49ZA wind turbine company is being sued by a farming community in Kerry one year after a bog slide - which has still not been cleared - blocked access to their land.
Residents of LyrecromÂpane in the Stack mountains have insisted that the wind farm - currently being developed by Tralee-based Tra Investments - is to blame for last August's bog slide.
Meridian's wind farm site analysis 'woeful'.200312009-02-17T04:50:23Z2009-02-17T04:50:23ZScientific consultant Brian Patrick, of Alexandra, gave evidence on the proposal as a witness for appellant Ewan Carr.
His evidence included planned mitigation measures and whether they were appropriate.
During cross-examination, Mr Patrick said Meridian's plan to store spoil, including soil taken from the site during construction, in various disposal sites on the proposed 92sq km property would unnecessarily threaten indigenous flora and fauna of the Lammermoor Range.
Plum Creek apologizes for incident of erosion .199712009-02-13T15:42:09Z2009-02-13T15:42:09ZPlum Creek owns the property west of Greenville, and its logging contractor was clearing land for TransCanada, the developer of a wind farm. The Land Use Regulation Commission issued a notice of warning to TransCanada based on the erosion.
A Maine environmental group called for the state to fine Plum Creek and a logging contractor for cutting trees too aggressively.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine released photos of the erosion, which it said was effectively a 900-foot-long mudslide, along with internal communications that it says show Plum Creek's logging contractor was warned to stop working in the area until after the ground froze.
