News
Category:
Virginia
Governor signs repeal of renewable energy incentives
February 22, 2013 by Kathy Adams in The Virginian-Pilot
February 22, 2013 by Kathy Adams in The Virginian-Pilot
The change means utilities, such as Dominion Virginia Power, will no longer be eligible for a bonus for obtaining a certain portion of their energy from renewable sources, such as solar power. Reduced incentives remain for nuclear and offshore wind power.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
Va. General Assembly strikes down tall structures legislation
January 30, 2013 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
January 30, 2013 by Charles Owens in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Legislation that could have trumped Tazewell County's two-year-old ridgeline protection ordinance has died in the General Assembly. ...Area leaders argued the bill was an attempt to override a local county ordinance that prohibits the development of tall structures, including wind turbines, on East River Mountain and other protected ridgelines.
Also filed under [
General]
Wind turbines: VACo joins Tazewell opposition
January 25, 2013 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
January 25, 2013 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Charles Stacy, eastern district representative on the board of supervisors said that the Virginia Association of Counties has expressed concerns about SB 1341, the renewable energy facilities; exemption from land use regulations," bill that was introduced in the General Assembly by State Senator Richard L. Saslaw, D-Springfield. "VACo is adamantly opposed to this bill for reasons other than windmills."
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Zoning/Planning]
Legislation in General Assembly seeks renewable energy exemption
January 24, 2013 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
January 24, 2013 by Bill Archer in Bluefield Daily Telegraph
State Senator Richard L. Saslaw, D-Springfield, introduced Senate Bill 1341, the "Renewable energy facilities; exemption from land use regulations," bill. According to the bill summary, the bill: "Exempts certain electrical generation facilities powered by renewable sources of energy from local zoning and land use requirements.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
Virginia offshore wind farm might not be built for another decade - or more
January 18, 2013 by Peter Bacque in Richmond Times-Dispatch
January 18, 2013 by Peter Bacque in Richmond Times-Dispatch
The earliest Virginia offshore commercial wind development could occur would likely be 2022, or even five years later than that, energy officials said Thursday.
Getting the required permits to build an offshore wind farm could take seven years alone.
Also filed under [
Offshore Wind]
Critics call Virginia's renewable energy bonuses a waste renewable energy
October 13, 2012 by Kenric Ward in The Examiner
October 13, 2012 by Kenric Ward in The Examiner
Environmental groups say Virginia‘s renewable-energy program is a loophole-riddled corporate giveaway that allows utilities to boost rates without building a single wind or solar facility in the Old Dominion.
Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli calls the whole subsidy arrangement a waste.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
County could take action on windmills Monday night
September 8, 2012 by Allen Worrell in The Carroll News
September 8, 2012 by Allen Worrell in The Carroll News
Carroll County Supervisor Bob Martin believes the county needs to go ahead and take action one way or another in regards to windmills in the county. A formal recommendation is expected Monday night.
Also filed under [
General]
After the public hearing, Board of Supervisors' Chairman Sam Dickson asked supervisors Bob Martin and Joshua Hendrick if they wanted to make a suggestion about windmills since they make up the county's committee to study windmills. Martin said there still seemed to be a lot of confusion.
Also filed under [
General]
The company, which once hoped to have the power-generating turbines spinning by the end of this year, said its decision was based on the uncertain future of government incentives for wind energy. ...Invenergy's announcement was seen as a setback for local supporters of renewable energy, but good news for some Poor Mountain residents, who fear that the 443-foot-tall turbines will be a noisy eyesore to their peaceful community.
Also filed under [
General]
A towering offshore wind turbine off the Eastern Shore seemed likely as recently as late March, when the state gave its blessing for a prototype energy spire in the Chesapeake Bay.
Barely one month later, those plans have been blown away.
Also filed under [
General]
Gamesa and a development partner are suspending further development of an offshore wind turbine off the coast of Virginia, citing the massive amounts of capital needed to pursue a project with a cloudy future due to uncertain federal support.
The Floyd County draft ordinance prohibits the construction, repair or improvement of structures more than 40 feet high on any ridge 2,000 feet or more above sea level and 500 feet or more above an adjacent valley floor, a geographical catchment area that covers much of Floyd County. The ordinance makes an exception for water, radio, telecommunications and television towers.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Floyd County ordinance likely wipes out wind turbines proposal
December 16, 2011 by Ken Heineck in WSLS
December 16, 2011 by Ken Heineck in WSLS
"I think this will help protect the natural beauty of the county, preserve the ridges," said Clinger.
A public hearing on the potential ridge line ordinance is scheduled for January 31st, but supervisors do not expect much if any opposition.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Residents to get a chance to speak up on wind power
November 30, 2011 by Sally Voth in Northern Virginia Daily
November 30, 2011 by Sally Voth in Northern Virginia Daily
The panels are considering a proposed ordinance that would allow wind turbines in the medium-density residential district by special-use permit.
It calls for turbines to be 70 feet tall or shorter. They must be placed on land parcels that are a minimum of 1 acre.
Also filed under [
General]
Virginia's offshore battle: Wind Vs. oil drilling; Potential for off-shore drilling eyed
November 11, 2011 by Sabri Ben-Achour in WAMU 88.5 FM
November 11, 2011 by Sabri Ben-Achour in WAMU 88.5 FM
The Obama administration's proposal to exclude Virginia from offshore drilling exploration has angered many top politicians in the commonwealth who view drilling as a potential source of jobs. But the decision has reinvigorated environmentalists' arguments that there's more to gain from wind power.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy]
One company and 26 residents want the court to overturn the county's wind ordinance and prevent a company from erecting turbines near their homes, according to documents filed by Roanoke attorney John Fishwick on Thursday in Roanoke County Circuit Court.
Also filed under [
General]
Roanoke County supervisor wants to revisit wind turbine noise ordinance
October 13, 2011 by Katelyn Polantz in Roanoke Times
October 13, 2011 by Katelyn Polantz in Roanoke Times
Elswick asked the county board of supervisors on Tuesday to rescind a 60-decibel maximum limit on large wind turbines. That policy regulates how loud the turbines can be at the nearest property lines.
The 60-decibel limit is too high, Elswick said Tuesday.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Roanoke County supervisor wants to revisit wind turbine noise ordinance
October 12, 2011 by Katelyn Polantz in Roanoke Times
October 12, 2011 by Katelyn Polantz in Roanoke Times
Elswick asked the county board of supervisors on Tuesday to rescind a 60-decibel maximum limit on large wind turbines. That policy regulates how loud the turbines can be at the nearest property lines.
The 60-decibel limit is too high, Elswick said Tuesday. He compared the noise level to a highway.
Also filed under [
Noise]
Roanoke County bird-watchers worry about windmills' wake
September 28, 2011 by Laurence Hammack in The Roanoke Times
September 28, 2011 by Laurence Hammack in The Roanoke Times
So far this year, they have recorded more than 2,800 raptors above Poor Mountain, which is along the migratory path that can take the birds all the way to South America.
Raptors are threatened by turbines because they fly at such high elevations and tend to follow ridgelines when they migrate.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Birds]
Four of the five Roanoke County supervisors put in place a wind-energy policy Tuesday night that they say will protect residents and guide the county with future development.
The fifth board member, Ed Elswick, said the board hadn't limited wind development enough.
Also filed under [
General]
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