News
Wind turbine progress liens a bit; SkyPower owes surveying company money
November 18, 2009 by Leanne Delong in Digby Courier
November 18, 2009 by Leanne Delong in Digby Courier
Property owners involved with the wind turbine project in Gulliver's Cove have liens on their property because SkyPower Corp. owes a Nova Scotia-based company over $40,000.
SkyPower, which is partnered with Scotia Wind Fields, plans to erect a 30-megawatt wind farm in Gulliver's Cove using 20 turbines. ...There are 17 local landowners affected by this.
Islanders flock to unveiling of wind turbines
November 18, 2009 by Abigail Curtis in Bangor Daily News
November 18, 2009 by Abigail Curtis in Bangor Daily News
Dignitaries, schoolchildren and more than 400 islanders crowded Tuesday morning around the base of a massive wind turbine to officially dedicate the Fox Islands Wind Project. ...While it seemed clear that the vast majority of residents at the ceremony were thrilled with "their" turbines, a small but vocal group of islanders who live close to the turbines has expressed deep concerns about the noise, flickering red lights and potential negative effects on health and well-being.
"Last night, it was just throbbing," said David Wylie, who lives about a half mile from the turbines. "Whump, whump, whump."
Another wind farm is planned for Schuylkill County. The proposal will come up Wednesday night at a zoning meeting at the North Schuylkill High School.
There is opposition from people who live near the proposed site for the giant windmills.
Even from a few miles away wind farms are hard to miss. They're usually located on mountaintops.
The Public Service Commission conditionally approved a wind energy project in Garrett County Wednesday, the third expedited application it has moved forward.
Synergics Roth Rock Wind Energy LLC and Synergics Wind Energy LLC plan to build a 20-turbine facility on Backbone Mountain, generating 50 megawatts of power.
50ft tall wind turbines that won't need planning permission in countryside 'free for all'
November 18, 2009 by David Derbyshire in Mail Online
November 18, 2009 by David Derbyshire in Mail Online
The Government says it wants to cut the red tape and expense involved in generating energy from wind, and insists the new rules will come with strict conditions about noise, size and appearance.
But rural campaigners said the changes to the planning system could lead to a 'free-for-all' and warned that the countryside was in danger of being sacrificed in the battle against global warming.
Although the official public hearing was delayed until January, area residents still spoke out Tuesday over the controversial topic of wind turbines.
"How are we guaranteed that so many jobs will be created?" Mark Tyson of Tazewell, said. "We have to take the word of BP and Dominion - the same people who funded 50 percent of this study."
"As far as this study is concerned, I know it is an economic impact study, but I pray there will be other studies you all will look at other than economics," Donna Kelly of Bluefield, Va., said. "It's not all just about money. I feel a few will profit from this but the majority will suffer."
The official count of absentee ballots Tuesday gave victory to Urban C. Hirschey in the race for town supervisor.
Mr. Hirschey was down by 42 votes on Election Day but picked up 62 more votes than Democratic incumbent Thomas K. Rienbeck in absentees, 144-82. The final tally was 634-614. ...Mr. Rienbeck, who has been in office for 10 years, said most of the people who changed their registration to vote for Mr. Hirschey were rich seasonal residents who oppose wind farms.
Windmill study provides statistics and more for divided community
November 18, 2009 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
November 18, 2009 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
The long-awaited wind energy study compiled by Springsted Inc., was released on Monday. While it didn't include a lot of surprises, it did come with plenty of statistics, projections and hypothetical scenarios related to wind turbine farms. ...While it doesn't provide a lot of new details, the Springsted study still provides a lot of information for folks to digest. The official public hearing on the proposed mountain construction ordinance, also known as the mountain ridge protection ordinance, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 6:15 p.m. or soon thereafter at Tazewell High School.
Magnificent views enjoyed by visitors to an award-winning North East holiday complex would be ruined by plans to build four massive wind turbines nearby, it is claimed.
Businessman Alun Moore has invested about £2m over the last 20 years in developing his Beacon Hill holiday centre, 15 self-catering cottages and a luxury spa on a hilltop north west of Morpeth. ...But now Mr Moore fears his business, which employs 14 people locally, will suffer badly if plans by Novera Energy to erect four 101m turbines at nearby Todd Hill, Pigdon, are given the go-ahead.
Jefferson County's Board of Legislators slowed down its consideration of the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the proposed Galloo Island Wind Farm. ...Chairman Barry M. Ormsby, R-Belleville, said representatives of the Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency and Galloo Island's developer, Upstate NY Power Corp., would come to the meeting.
Mr. Ormsby said they also would allow the public to speak during privilege of the floor, though no public hearing is required.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies|
New York]
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is asking Ottawa to fund more scientific research into the potential health effects of wind turbines.
The organization has asked the government to focus on two areas: low-frequency noise and electrical disturbances from industrial-scale wind developments. The issue was raised in September by three municipalities from Ontario at a national board of directors meeting.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Canada]
Dixmont to vote on industrial wind energy ordinance
November 18, 2009 by Sarah Komuniecki in WABI TV5
November 18, 2009 by Sarah Komuniecki in WABI TV5
Two years ago, a company started looking into the potential for placing wind turbines along Mt. Harris in Dixmont. Since then, local residents have been talking about what that could mean for them-- and Thursday, the issue comes to a vote.
Mt. Harris Wind had plans to build about ten turbines along this ridge in Dixmont, says project partner Andrew Price.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
Maine]
After outcry, 2 companies shift their turbine plans
November 18, 2009 by Kate Galbraith in New York Times
November 18, 2009 by Kate Galbraith in New York Times
Two companies that encountered political anger for their plans to use Chinese-built turbines on a wind farm in West Texas have announced plans to build a new turbine factory - in the United States.
The U.S. Renewable Energy Group, an investment firm, and A-Power Energy Generation Systems, a Chinese turbine maker, said in a statement on Tuesday that they had signed an agreement to build "a new production and assembly plant in the United States that will supply highly advanced wind energy turbines to renewable energy projects throughout North and South America."
Alternative Energy Committee hires wind turbine consultant
November 17, 2009 by Robert Barboza in South Coast Today
November 17, 2009 by Robert Barboza in South Coast Today
The Westport Alternative Energy Committee (AEC) has decided to hire an engineering consultant to conduct preliminary assessments of two parcels of town-owned land to determine if they would be suitable locations for a municipal wind turbine project.
The AEC voted unanimously Thursday to ask Atlantic Design Engineers of Sandwich to look at two specific sites ...to gauge whether or not they would be suitable for a commercial-sized turbine installation.
Also filed under [
General|
Massachusetts]
Nat Grid still won't buy from Deepwater; Utility's PUC filing claims wind farm electricity too expensive
November 17, 2009 by Chris Barrett in Providence Business News
November 17, 2009 by Chris Barrett in Providence Business News
After two months of talks, Deepwater Wind LLC and National Grid are still unable to agree upon a contract for the utility to purchase electricity from the developer's offshore wind farm. ...National Grid submitted an unsigned power-purchase agreement, saying the two sides remained apart over the issue of price.
National Grid said the cost of electricity from the eight-turbine wind farm planned off the coast of Block Island would be 25.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2013, the first full year of operation. The price would rise 3.5 percent each year after that.
Also filed under [
General|
Rhode Island]
Residents voice concern over possible wind farm impact on karst topography
November 17, 2009 by Melissa Vander Plas in News-Record
November 17, 2009 by Melissa Vander Plas in News-Record
During the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) public hearing in Harmony on Monday, Nov. 9, to gather public input regarding the proposed EcoHarmony West Wind Project, several individuals voiced concern as to how the wind farm would impact the karst topography of the area.
The proposed wind project will be sited in an area of about 23,000 acres west of Harmony.
Litigation on the rise; Green laws mean more work for lawyers
November 17, 2009 by Donalee Moulton in Financial Post
November 17, 2009 by Donalee Moulton in Financial Post
Our carbon footprint may be reduced as a result of new green legislation sweeping the country, but our legal landscape is likely to experience a power surge.
That's because when Canadians get passionate about something -- such as the environment -- they often care enough to go to court.
"The emotional opposition to power energy projects is very significant. The Ontario ministry of the environment says it's as vociferous as it is to landfill sites. It's surprising," says Dianne Saxe, an environmental lawyer in Toronto.
John Healey unveils proposal to do away with planning permission for wind turbines
November 17, 2009 by Jill Sherman in Times Online
November 17, 2009 by Jill Sherman in Times Online
Wind turbines standing as high as 15 metres (50ft) will be allowed on farmland and industrial estates without planning permission, under proposals to boost renewable energy.
The turbines will be approved across large areas of the countryside, provided they meet noise and impact restrictions.
John Healey, the housing minister, also announced plans to fast-track applications for solar panels on stadiums, schools, railway stations and offices, as part of proposals to achieve national commitments on climate change.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
UK]
A decision to go ahead with an $150 million wind farm near Glen Innes has prompted Tenterfield Shire Council to promise it will do everything it can to consult with the community before any similar industry is approved in Tenterfield.
The Glen Innes announcement has sparked criticism the NSW Government has ignored community concerns.
Also filed under [
General|
Australia / New Zealand]
Commissioners considering an extension to the Te Rere Hau wind farm have requested more information about changes to the Tararua District Plan. ...The hearing adjourned a week ago.
The council released decisions on submissions to the proposed district plan earlier this month.
Also filed under [
General|
Australia / New Zealand]