Documents
Category:
USA
Note: counts do not include items in sub-categories
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Avian and bat fatality rates at old-generation and repowered wind turbines in California
August, 2009
by K. Shawn Smallwood and Brian Karas
This important report, which appeared in the Wildlife Society's Journal of Wildlife Management, details the effect on raptor and bird mortality following repowering a portion of the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA) in California (USA). Repowering involves removing older generation towers and replacing them with higher capacity -- and potentially better sited -- units. The abstract to this report appears below. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
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.
Also filed under [
General]
Animal Welfare Institute et.al. motion for preliminary injunction against the Beech Ridge wind energy facility
July 10, 2009
by Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal
The Animal Welfare Institute, Mountain Communities for Responsible Energy and David G. Cowan have filed a law suit against Beech Ridge Energy LLC and Invenergy Wind LLC under the federal Endangered Species Act ("ESA"). This filing seeks preliminary injunction to halt further construction, turbine erection, and operation of the Beech Ridge industrial wind power project. The plaintiffs argue that the project, if constructed, will result in the "likely killing, injury, and other forms of "take" of endangered Indiana bats in violation of the ESA." The wind project is proposed to be located on ridgelines in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.
Energy analyst Tom Hewson provides details on new wind power generation and whether the claimed benefit of avoided emissions is overstated.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
Smallwood comments 3rd draft Wind Turbine Guidelines of the USFWS
June 24, 2009
by K. Shawn Smallwood, PhD
Windaction.org is grateful to Dr. Smallwood for taking the time to develop these constructive comments in response to the US Fish and Wildlife Service's 3rd draft of its wind turbine siting guidelines.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Landscape]
Public health impacts of wind turbines
May 22, 2009
by Minnesota Department of Health, Environmental Health Division
In late February 2009 the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received a request from the Office of Energy Security (OES) in the Minnesota Department of Commerce, for a “white paper” evaluating possible health effects associated with low frequency vibrations and sound arising from large wind energy conversion systems (LWECS). MDH agreed to evaluate health impacts from wind turbine noise and low frequency vibrations. In discussion with OES, MDH also proposed to examine experiences and policies of other states and countries. Below are the Introduction and Conclusions of the white paper released in May 2009. The full report can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Letter urges DOI Secretary Salazar to suspend work of Wind Turbine/Wildlife Advisory Committee
May 11, 2009
by Eric R. Glitzenstein
Eric R. Glitzenstein of the public interest law firm Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal in Washington DC filed this letter with the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth Salazar on behalf of a number of conservation and citizen groups concerned with the impact of poorly sited and constructed wind power projects on bat and bird populations and other wildlife resources.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Energy Policy]
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.
Also filed under [
General|
Energy Policy]
Jay Apt testimony before the US House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
April 23, 2009
by Jay Apt, Ph.D
Dr. Jay Apt presented this compelling testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Environment in reference to The American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009. Dr. Apt's full testimony can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) at the bottom of this page.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
This speech was delivered at the 22nd Annual Utah Valley University Symposium on Environmental Ethics, held April 1st and 2nd at Utah Valley University. Mr. Keith O. Rattie is the Chairman, President and CEO of Questar Corporation, one of America's fastest-growing natural gas producers. A .pdf version of the speech can be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
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