News
In 2007 voters approved a $3 million bond issue for the turbine, which sits behind the tennis courts at the high school. It's been idle since June 2012 due to a broken gear box. The town has been weighing its options ever since.
Also filed under [
General|
Rhode Island]
The zoning board of appeals declared two town-owned wind turbines a nuisance in a 4-1 vote Thursday night.
The decision overturned Building Commissioner Eladio Gore's determination that noise from the turbines did not constitute a nuisance. Turbine abutter Neil Andersen, of 211 Blacksmith Shop Road, appealed that decision in November, and the board closed that hearing last week.
Also filed under [
General|
Massachusetts]
In a decision swiftly condemned by conservationists and wildlife advocates, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said operators of Terra-Gen Power's wind farm in the Tehachapi Mountains will not be prosecuted if their turbines accidentally kill a condor during the expected 30-year life span of the project.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grants exceptions to a wind farm and a building project in harassing or killing the endangered birds.
At Lowell, Sheffield: DPS Commissioner concerned about turbine noise
May 10, 2013 by Robin SMith in Orleans County Record
May 10, 2013 by Robin SMith in Orleans County Record
Since October, 105 complaints about the big three wind projects have been collected by the DPS division on consumer affairs and public information, not including this complaint from McGrath.
Some of those complaints are from the same people. Twenty-three different people have complained. In one case in November, 31 people joined to file a petition about wind noise about the Lowell wind project which prompted Green Mountain Power to adjust early operations.
In reopening the hearing, Montgomery said any additional testimony or proofs would be limited to the single issue of noise generated by the turbines. He said he remains concerned that six of the proposed turbines would be located near homes with potentially "sensitive" individuals and that ensuring turbines meet state standards should be the job of the developer.
Application process continues for southern VW County wind farm
May 9, 2013 by Ed Gebert in Times Bulletin
May 9, 2013 by Ed Gebert in Times Bulletin
The update touched on many topics, but little new information was brought out. BP Wind is still working toward applying with the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), probably in early September. The licensing process will probably take up to nine months to complete.
LePage's energy director, Patrick Woodcock, made recommendations Thursday to rewrite the state's 2008 Wind Energy Act, shifting focus from growing wind energy capacity to lowering electricity costs and making sure Maine sees an economic return on its wind energy investments.
Controversial plans for a wind farm on a prominent site on the Yorkshire Wolds are being recommended for approval despite huge opposition and warnings that it will be seen for many miles. ..."We do not need developments of this scale in this area which is a very beautiful area," he said.
A pledge from the London Government's Energy Minister saying local communities would have a voice in the planning process for wind farms has been welcomed by the leader of the SDLP on Newry and Mourne Council, Connaire McGreevy.
Charlestown turbine foes hear scientific evidence of infrasonic threat
May 9, 2013 by David Pepin in The Westerly Sun
May 9, 2013 by David Pepin in The Westerly Sun
It's not always the noise you hear that damages your ears. The noise you don't hear can be more harmful, wind turbine opponents were told Wednesday night.
Harold Vincent, an associate research professor at the University of Rhode Island, told an audience of about 75 residents at Cross' Mills Public Library that infrasonic noise can create health problems that go beyond hearing difficulties.
In the second half of a four-hour annual town meeting, residents unanimously approved a one-year extension of the town's wind-turbine moratorium and bought the Highway Department a new, used pick-up truck and a reversible, power-angled snow plow.
Also filed under [
General|
Massachusetts]
New wind energy development is off to a slow start in 2013, following a surge of projects last year that added 1,700 megawatts of generation across the Pacific Northwest.
Specifically, the company is asking for a 10-month extension of the July 18, 2013, deadline to meet Special Condition #19 requiring the company to provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to construct, maintain, operate, decommission and reclaim the facility. ...The Industrial Siting Council will meet at 10 a.m. on Monday June 24, 2013, to consider the company's request for the extension.
Vestas' struggle continues, more layoffs still to come
May 8, 2013 by Sharon Dunn in Greeley Tribune
May 8, 2013 by Sharon Dunn in Greeley Tribune
The struggling Danish company with four manufacturing plants in Colorado -- three of which are in Weld County -- saw a 34 percent decrease in production, a 26 percent decrease in deliveries, a 1 percent reduction in revenue, and a 24 percent decrease in employees since the first of the year, while it continued to come out of a two-year, debilitating slowdown.
Island dentist chooses against treating First Nations and municipal councillors voting for wind turbines
May 8, 2013 by Michael Erskine in Manitoulin Expositor
May 8, 2013 by Michael Erskine in Manitoulin Expositor
Councillor Jerry Ense noted that his family has been going to Dr. Studzienny for 20 years. He called the dentist and asked if it was all community members that the dentist was refusing to deal with. "He said, ‘No, no, only councillors. If you are a councillor I don't want you as a patient'," said Mr. Ense.
Written order issued for Wind Energy project
May 8, 2013 by Brandon Lawrence in Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
May 8, 2013 by Brandon Lawrence in Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
The SEC denied Antrim Wind Energy's application based on negative visual impacts the wind farm - proposed for the ridgeline of Tuttle Hill and Willard Mountain in Antrim - would have had on the town and its surrounding communities.
Also filed under [
General|
New Hampshire]
Walkers had a narrow escape as blades on a wind turbine ripped off in high winds across common moor land. Walkers and local residents were stunned at what could have been a nasty accident and fear for further blade breakages.
Boards tell developer wind turbine plan is 'incomplete'
May 7, 2013 by Michael LoCicero in Sheboygan Press
May 7, 2013 by Michael LoCicero in Sheboygan Press
Supervisors unanimously voted the application was incomplete because it failed to address numerous requirements in both the town ordinances and Public Service Commission requirements.
In a letter to the commission, Ginger Ritter, AZGF project evaluation program specialist, asked the commissioners to postpone the decision until more data was available on the locations, nesting sites and activities of the golden eagles and long-nosed bats in the vicinity.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Arizona]
In 11 letters sent to Ridgeline Energy - which has proposed 492-feet high wind turbines in the area - the administration warns that the structures would exceed height standards unless they were reduced to between 85 feet and 175 feet depending on the location.