News
Category:
West Virginia
Thursday's hearing was relatively brief, in part because no one from the public appeared in protest of the 33-turbine expansion and in part because Beech Ridge, the West Virginia Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO and the PSC staff had entered into a joint stipulation and agreement for settlement prior to the hearing.
Also filed under [
General]
Tax credit on solar technologies denied, appeal against decision
February 18, 2013 by Rachel Molenda in THe Journal
February 18, 2013 by Rachel Molenda in THe Journal
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
Beech Ridge Wind Farm expansion subject of public comment period
January 8, 2013 by Tina Alvey in Register-Herald Reporter
January 8, 2013 by Tina Alvey in Register-Herald Reporter
An Invenergy official, told the Greenbrier County Commission that substantial tax revenue would fall to the county if the wind farm expansion gains approval. The county now receives around $400,000 per year from the project. That figure would rise to approximately $600,000 with the 33 additional turbines, Duncan said.
Also filed under [
General]
Recycled wind turbine tower now lighthouse at Summersville Lake
November 23, 2012 by Rick Steelhammer in The Charleston Gazette
November 23, 2012 by Rick Steelhammer in The Charleston Gazette
Also filed under [
General]
New wind energy projects stalled when financing dried up during the Great Recession. Now new projects have hit turbulence because an important federal tax credit is set to expire.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies|
USA]
Beech Ridge Energy is looking for a 25-year permit that would essentially get them off the hook for all the endangered bats that get killed flying into its turbine blades.
The project currently has almost 70 turbines in action and has plans to put 30 more in the area.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Bats]
The PSC dismissed the complaint because the sitting order does not contain material terms and conditions related to noise or flicker and because the agency does not possess the statutory authority to address the issues raised by Braithwaite, according to the commission's final order.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Bats]
To comply with the terms of a lawsuit settlement, Maryland-based Beech Ridge Energy is seeking a 25-year permit for its wind farm in Greenbrier and Nicholas counties. The existing 67 turbines and another 33 that are planned could harm Virginia big-eared and Indiana bats.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Bats]
Pending further evaluation, AES has voluntarily ceased nighttime operation of the turbines at the Laurel Mountain facility. The facility has been testing different cut-in speeds to reduce bat mortality. The Indiana bat was found near a turbine that was operating at a cut-in speed of 3.5 meters per second.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife|
Impact on Bats]
An unidentified construction worker suffered unspecified injuries Tuesday afternoon when he fell into a manhole while working on the windmill lead line project in the area of Green and Grant streets.
W.Va. PSC dismisses turbine noise complaint; Residents can take issue to circuit court
July 5, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
July 5, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
Should the Braithwaites decide to pursue the matter further, they could file a nuisance claim in circuit court, according to the PSC document. Gary Braithwaite, along with 26 families, have hired a lawyer and are discussing the possibility of filing a suit for damages, according to the State Journal.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
"Neither the siting rules nor the sound prediction studies that have been performed in connection with wind energy applications in West Virginia sufficiently captures what the reality will likely be once a project is in operation, or how the sounds are heard at various reference points in the vicinity of the project."
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
In a case that may well be be cited in the future by other wind farm owners calling for the dismissal of noise or other complaints associated with their projects, the PSC ruled that "the Commission does not retain the statutorily defined, continuing jurisdiction to address the issues raised by the Complainant." ... The Commission did note, however, that Braithwaite and others have recourse through the courts.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
AES filed for and received an FAA determination of no hazard to air navigation in 2008, Falter said, based on the preliminary layout of the turbines. AES reapplied on completion of its engineering late last year and found that the project did not meet new FAA criteria with regard to a ground-based navigation system for aircraft.
Also filed under [
Safety]
PSC: Pinnacle Wind should take another listen to Green Mountain
April 4, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
April 4, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
The West Virginia PSC says its staff should take another look at noise from the Pinnacle Wind Farm on Green Mountain. Richard Brathwaite, a resident of Green Mountain, filed a formal complaint with the PSC on Feb. 22, citing that the noise inside his home exceeds 60 decibels and exceeds 80 decibels outside.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
PSC: Pinnacle Wind should take another listen to Green Mountain
April 4, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
April 4, 2012 by Elaine Blaisdell in Cumberland Times-News
Edison Mission Energy has 10 days to respond to the PSC's memorandum, according to Parnell. ...PSC staff believes that although the noise complaints do not violate a direct term or condition, the complaint does allege violations of representations made by Pinnacle in its application and violations of Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law contained in the certificate order.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Probe of wind farm noise complaint recommended
April 2, 2012 by Rick Steelhammer in The Charleston Gazette
April 2, 2012 by Rick Steelhammer in The Charleston Gazette
Richard Braithwaite, whose home lies about a half-mile from the nearest Pinnacle Wind turbine, said in a complaint filed in February that he has recorded readings as high as 83.4 decibels outside his home, and indoor readings as high as 63.6 decibels, since the turbines began operating in November.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Staff recommends PSC review noise at Pinnacle Wind Farm
April 1, 2012 by Pam Kasey in The State Journal
April 1, 2012 by Pam Kasey in The State Journal
Staff noted in its March 28 memorandum that, although the noise problem does not violate a direct term or condition of the commission's Jan. 11, 2010 order granting the siting certificate, it does contradict the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Pinnacle Wind Farm complaint filed with Public Service Commission
March 8, 2012 by Richard Kerns in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
March 8, 2012 by Richard Kerns in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Richard Braithwaite filed the complaint last month, citing excessive noise levels both inside and outside his Green Mountain home near the 23-turbine wind farm. He is asking the PSC to order Edison Mission Group, the wind farm owner, to either fix the noise problem or shut down the turbines, at least at night.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
Resident on Pinnacle wind turbine noise: ‘I can't take it'
March 8, 2012 by Michael A. Sawyers in Cumberland Times-News
March 8, 2012 by Michael A. Sawyers in Cumberland Times-News
Braithwaite said that when the turbines spun for the first time Nov. 5 that he woke up in the middle of the night and went all around his house trying to find out what was making the noise that had awakened him.
"Then I opened the door and heard it.
Also filed under [
Impact on People|
Noise]
| << Wisconsin | Wyoming >> |