Stantec Liens

Lisa

November 05, 2009 5:18:57 PM

Jacques Whitford Stantec, by its successor in interest, Stantec Consulting LTD., filed construction liens in the amount of $242,296.58. A total of 150 landowners were cited in the claim.

Economic impacts from the promotion of renewable energies: The German experience

Lisa

September 30, 2009 8:00:00 PM

Abstract: The allure of an environmentally benign, abundant, and cost-effective energy source has led an increasing number of industrialized countries to back public financing of renewable energies. Germany’s experience with renewable energy promotion is often cited as a model to be replicated elsewhere, being based on a combination of far-reaching energy and environmental laws that stretch back nearly two decades. This paper critically reviews the current centerpiece of this effort, the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), focusing on its costs and the associated implications for job creation and climate protection. We argue that German renewable energy policy, and in particular the adopted feed-in tariff scheme, has failed to harness the market incentives needed to ensure a viable and cost-effective introduction of renewable energies into the country’s energy portfolio. To the contrary, the government’s support mechanisms have in many respects subverted these incentives, resulting in massive expenditures that show little long-term promise for stimulating the economy, protecting the environment, or increasing energy security. In the case of photovoltaics, Germany’s subsidization regime has reached a level that by far exceeds average wages, with per-worker subsidies as high as 175,000 € (US $ 240,000)

Petitioners v. Bingham County Idaho Board of Commissioners

Lisa

July 28, 2009 6:23:00 AM

The Bingham County Idaho County Commissioners approved a wind proposal involving the construction of 81 miles of road and erecting 150 wind turbines across more than 17,600 acres of Wolverine Canyon. The area is locally designated as a Natural Resource/Agriculture district which, by definition, does not permit industrial, energy-producing, structures. The Commissioners ruled that since the wind energy facility was a "wind farm" it was therefore an agricultural use and thus permitted. The residents in the area filed an appeal with the courts. This document is one of several responsive briefs filed by the residents.

2008 Wind Technologies Market Report

Lisa

July 15, 2009 2:58:39 PM

The U.S. wind industry experienced a banner year in 2008, surpassing even optimistic growth projections from years past. At the same time, the past year has been one of upheaval, with the global financial crisis impacting near-term growth prospects for the wind industry, and with significant federal policy changes enacted to push the industry towards continued aggressive expansion. Dr. Ryan Wiser, and others, prepared this detail analysis of wind development in the United States.

Our undiversified wind portfolio

Lisa

April 30, 2009 9:40:47 AM

Wind advocates like to say "The wind's always blowing somewhere" to counter concerns about the variability of wind power. This is true, and it means that wind can always be relied on to produce some power, but that does not mean that wind can always meet demand. In the United States' Great Plains wind belt, wind is typically anticorrelated with demand.

George Washington National Forest letter to Freedomworks

Lisa

April 02, 2009 12:34:23 PM

Freedomworks submitted a proposal for erect three meteorological towers on North Mountain in the George Washington National Forest. The request was in in early December, however the company's plans were known for about one year ago. The forest supervisor, Maureen Hyzer denied the request in this April 2 letter. Reasons for the denial were that the request did not comply with the forest management plan and there was no rationale specified for why the use of national forest land was necessary. The complete memo can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Cape Vincent’s unethical black hole

Lisa

February 15, 2009 10:53:59 AM

This open letter to representatives of British Petroleum and Acciona/AES appeared in New York's Watertown Daily Times newspaper in response to questionable business practices by the developers seeking to build wind facilities in Cape Vincent, New York. The full letter can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

NY Supreme Court order re: Prattsburgh eminent domain suit

Lisa

February 05, 2009 9:42:07 PM

Memorandum and order issued by the NY State Supreme Court in the matter involving a request by property owners in Prattsburgh to annul the decision by the Town Board of the Town of Prattsburgh to condemn a portion of the petitioners' property in order to create certain easements for Windfarm Prattsburgh, LLC, to place underground electricity lines for a wind farm project.

Compliance letter to First Wind regarding Maine Mars Hill facility

Lisa

December 18, 2008 12:02:56 PM

Wilderness Society and Center for Biological Diversity comment on Deerfield Wind DEIS

Lisa

November 27, 2008 8:06:57 PM