www.windaction.org | Zoning/Planning

New wind farm completed in Hancock County
November 14, 2012 by Associated Press in Bangor Daily News

A new, 19-turbine wind farm in Hancock County, which has the capacity to supply the average energy needs of 18,000 homes, has been completed. Boston-based First Wind says its 34-megawatt Bull Hill project has also begun commercial operations. It’s located on the ridges of Bull Hill and Heifer Hill in Hancock County.

Also filed under [ General| Maine]

Discussion of wind farm regulations continued to December
November 4, 2012 by Bob Balgemann in Belvidere Daily Republican

More than 10 hours of discussing proposed revisions to Boone County's wind farm regulations haven't led to any decisions. After hearing three more hours of testimony Tuesday night, the zoning board of appeals agreed to continue the public hearing to its Dec. 26 meeting.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

State advocate poised to support town in wind case
October 4, 2012 by Candace Page in Burlington Free Press

Public Service Department Commissioner Elizabeth Miller, whose department represents the public in cases before the Public Service Board, said she expects to deliver on Gov. Peter Shumlin's promise to support towns that vote not to allow wind turbines within their borders.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| Vermont]

Wind farm rules are approved in Westminster
October 1, 2012 by Michael Hartwell in Sentinel and Enterprise

The Planning Board passed its regulations for proposed wind farms in the town last week and has submitted a definition of "shadow flicker."

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Neighbors sue Kingston ZBA, Mary O'Donnell in Land Court
September 28, 2012 by Kathryn Gallerani in Wicked Local Kingston

The lawsuit alleges that the original site plan review process was flawed, leading to the issuance of invalid building permits, that neighbors did not receive proper notice and that the permits are illegal because the turbines are larger than the size shown on the only plans on file with the town.

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Supervisors make no changes to wind farm development
September 25, 2012 in KGET TV 17

"This was a total dog and pony show and not unexpected. We wanted protection from the intrusion of big energy within our community. And, we did not want industry and commercial property right next to our homes and communities," said Mesonika Piecuch who is against wind farms near communities.

Also filed under [ California]

County supervisors to review wind turbine maps
September 25, 2012 in KGET TV

But, residents near the turbines are worried they are back to Square One with no real zoning that might stop the wide expansion. At first, the maps were thought of as a hard line in the dirt where wind turbines could be built. But, the maps have since evolved to where they may be used only for guidance.

Also filed under [ California]

Industry residents review wind power ordinance
September 25, 2012 in Daily Bulldog

The proposed ordinance was designed by the planning board and a Wind Ordinance Committee over the past 6 months, following the enactment of a temporary moratorium earlier this year. The ordinance attempts to balance the interests of the town and maintaining public safety with the rights of property owners.

Also filed under [ Maine]

Woodstock wind draft proposes tighter restrictions
September 20, 2012 by Alison Aloisio in Bethel Citizen

Under a newly-proposed ordinance, if a developer wishes to build a commercial wind project in Woodstock in the future, neighbors within a two-mile radius of the towers will be notified, and decibel levels will be set significantly below the state requirement.

Also filed under [ Maine]

Newark residents amend town plan to oppose wind
September 18, 2012 by Ash Nixon in Caledonian Record

A large turnout of residents at a special town meeting Monday swiftly gave a message to the developers of a hoped-for wind project here: by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, the voters amended the town plan, stating the majority of residents do not want to play host to an industrial-scale wind turbine installation.

Also filed under [ Vermont]

Council passes ordinance that restricts wind turbines in Middletown
September 18, 2012 by Olga Enger in Middletown Patch

Last night, Middletown town council passed an ordinance that would restrict the placement of turbines in Middletown. The motion passed 4-2, with councilor Edward Silveira absent and councilors Richard Cambra and Barbara VonVillas opposed

Also filed under [ Rhode Island]

Wind turbines becalmed
September 15, 2012 by Frank Mand in Wicked Local Plymouth

“I have always been of the opinion that these behemoths don’t belong in our backyards,” Buechs said. “There is a place for them,; we do need them; but I urge this board to support this bylaw, to move it along to Town Meeting.” Garrett’s was the decisive vote, resulting in a recommendation to support a moratorium.

Also filed under [ Massachusetts]

Boone County leaders consider changing wind power language
September 10, 2012 by Jennifer Wheeler in Rockford Register Star

The county's Planning, Zoning and Building Committee has proposed doubling the distance between a primary structure, like a home, and a wind farm; increasing the number of structures from which windmills must be distanced; and placing language into the ordinance that details how to remove a windmill no longer in service.

Also filed under [ Illinois]

Dutch province tilts at (real) windmills
September 6, 2012 by Thomas Escritt in Reuters

The Netherlands has been famous for its windmills for centuries but now one of its most populous provinces has said it wants to ban their modern-day incarnations - wind turbines - on the grounds that they are ugly and noisy.

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape| Europe]

Idaho energy tussle makes international ripples
August 30, 2012 by Associated Press in Idaho Press-Tribune

Idaho Power, the state's largest utility, wants Idaho regulators' permission to limit electricity output from wind farms like Terna's at times of low demand, arguing it will protect customers from higher costs. With the matter unresolved, lenders are wary their money is at risk.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Idaho]

Lyme passes wind law in 4-1 vote
August 11, 2012 in Watertown Daily Times

After a heated public debate over setbacks and noise limits, Lyme's Town Council adopted today a new set of rules that would "zone out" wind farms.

Also filed under [ New York]

Wind Turbine Amendments To Be Debated at Public Hearing
August 7, 2012 by Olga Enger in Middletown Patch

Councilor Ed Silveria said although he originally supported the proposal to allow wind turbines, he now realizes it's just a business that negatively impacts Middletown residents. "There is no reason that the rest of us should suffer," said Silveria. "Now we realize what's happened in Portsmouth. It doesn't make sense."

Also filed under [ Rhode Island]

Seneca Township voters to decide wind ordinance fate
August 2, 2012 by John Mulcahy in Daily Telegram

Seneca Township voters will decide Aug. 7 whether to keep a wind energy ordinance unanimously approved by the township board of trustees in March. The ordinance prescribes rules for wind energy turbines such as how far the turbines would have to be set back from dwellings and what sound levels would be allowed.

Also filed under [ Michigan]

Lyme prepares to pass new restrictions on wind turbines; public hearing, council vote set for Aug. 11
July 28, 2012 by Jaegun Lee in Watertown Daily Times

Grounded on a recent survey that found that a majority of Lyme residents were against wind energy development, the proposed law requires a half-mile turbine setback from roads, town boundaries and from non-participating property lines.

Also filed under [ New York]

Decision on wind farm may be close at hand
July 27, 2012 by David Giuliani in Sauk Valley News

Mainstream is proposing nine turbines in far southeastern Whiteside County; all parties agree the county has jurisdiction over seven of them. But the village of Deer Grove asserts that it has power over two, both of which are within 1-1/2 miles of its limits.

Also filed under [ Illinois]