News
Category:
Transmission
Upgraded transmission line translates to up to 51 wind turbines in Enniskillen
March 5, 2013 by Heather Wright in Sarnia Observer
March 5, 2013 by Heather Wright in Sarnia Observer
IPoliticians and residents are watching with worry as three companies make the rounds asking landowners south of Petrolia to sign leases for wind turbines.
Enniskillen Mayor Kevin Marriott says in the last few months three companies have been speaking with the municipality about projects which could bring as many as 51 turbines to the rural township south of Petrolia.
Also filed under [
Canada]
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has conditionally approved Central Maine Power's proposed $14 million upgrade of transmission lines to handle electricity from incoming wind farms.
Also filed under [
Maine]
U.S. offshore wind farm projects, all still on the drawing board, are being planned to include cables from the turbines to a substation on land to bring the power to the existing transmission grid.
The "backbone" power line the governors envision would connect the wind farms to each other, making it easier to spread wind power from areas where the wind is blowing robustly at that moment to states where electricity demand exceeds supply.
Also filed under [
USA]
3 local groups file suit to block Sunrise Powerlink on federal lands
January 15, 2011 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine
January 15, 2011 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine
Three local organizations and an East County land use issues expert have filed a lawsuit against five federal agencies. The suit alleges that the agencies approved SDG&E's planned Sunrise Powerlink transition line in violation of environmental regulations.
Also filed under [
California]
500-plus sign canyon petition; Residents opposed to power lines
November 26, 2009 by Kevin Welch in Amarillo Globe-News
November 26, 2009 by Kevin Welch in Amarillo Globe-News
A petition asking the Texas Legislature to pass a law that would prohibit high-voltage power lines in the northern end of Palo Duro Canyon continues to grow with 522 signatures late Wednesday.
The petition, posted online at www.protectcanyon.com on Sept. 16, is now the focus of a group called Protect North Palo Duro Canyon which is led by members of the Currie family, who own land along the route proposed by Sharyland Utilities.
What Hallquist did acknowledge to questioner Pat O'Neill (an active opponent of the wind project) is that if Co-op members vote down the proposal, Green Mountain Power's alternative route would not just cost more; Green Mountain Power would also need a new or amended certificate of public good from the Public Service Board.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Vermont]
That's because general plans for the 345-kilovolt route, known as the V-Plan and including a connecting line into Oklahoma, appear to take the line through prime nesting and breeding habitat for the Lesser Prairie-Chicken in both states.
With an estimated two-thirds of the unique bird's original habitat already eliminated by development, officials warn that further encroachment could place the bird on the nation's endangered species list.
Across NEK, North Country: Grid operators put limit on wind power use
February 2, 2013 by Robin Smith in Caledonian Record
February 2, 2013 by Robin Smith in Caledonian Record
The operators of the New England grid are restricting the amount of electricity being accepted from the three operating wind projects in the Northeast Kingdom and the North Country of New Hampshire.
And there's no indication that the restrictions, called curtailments, will end anytime soon.
Also filed under [
New Hampshire|
Vermont]
Activists see Cape Wind cost shock; Report projects $10B for ‘green' power system upgrades
March 5, 2010 by Christine McConville in Boston Herald
March 5, 2010 by Christine McConville in Boston Herald
The region's electrical grid operator has determined that a $10 billion investment in transmission facilities would be needed to move energy from new wind farms to customers across New England.
ISO New England's 60-page report - which put the price tag on a scenario for an additional 8,500 megawatts of wind power - is energizing critics of Cape Wind who contend the offshore project will shock ratepayers with skyrocketing bills.
Also filed under [
USA|
Massachusetts]
The Alamosa Board of County Commissioners endorsed a letter Wednesday urging the state's utility companies to support the development of more transmission lines in Southern Colorado.
The letter, originally drafted by the southern district of Colorado Counties Inc., argues that more transmission to the region would increase access to Southern Colorado's wind and solar resources.
Also filed under [
Colorado]
Alberta consumers to feel pinch as power line bill passes
November 27, 2009 by Jason Fekete in Calgary Herald
November 27, 2009 by Jason Fekete in Calgary Herald
Consumers will ultimately feel a jolt on their power bills after the Stelmach government passed Wednesday its controversial Bill 50 on electricity transmission -- legislation political opponents, landowners and utility company Enmax insist Albertans will live to regret.
After months of heated debate over the need for billions in new power lines--a fight that ensnared consumers, politicians and power companies -- the majority Tory government ensured easy passage in the legislature of Bill 50, the Electric Statutes Amendment Act.
Also filed under [
Canada]
Alberta's power line legislation will add new costs to power bills
November 25, 2009 by Jim Macdonald in The Canadian Press
November 25, 2009 by Jim Macdonald in The Canadian Press
Controversial legislation that will limit public debate on plans to erect billions of dollars worth of new power lines across Alberta is the latest twist in a saga that reads like a cheap detective novel.
Two years ago, Alberta's energy regulator was accused of spying on opponents of the power lines during public hearings.
As a result, Premier Ed Stelmach was forced to replace the head of the utilities commission. The regulator's head of security was forced to resign and the hearings were scuttled.
Also filed under [
Canada]
Aller, the top executive of Alliant subsidiary Interstate Power, also has to explain why his customers will pay as much as 50 percent more for power than fellow Iowans who are MidAmerican customers if the latest rate increase is approved by the Iowa Utilities Board.
Alternative energy still facing headwinds
February 17, 2011 by Peter Slevin and Steven Mufson in Washington Post
February 17, 2011 by Peter Slevin and Steven Mufson in Washington Post
The three-year fight over the Sunrise Powerlink, which is designed to carry solar, wind and geothermal energy, typifies the serious challenges facing President Obama and many of the nation's governors as they tout the power of renewable energy to put people to work and rescue the planet from the effects of climate change.
Ameren proposes major transmission line construction
August 3, 2010 by Tim Landis in State Journal-Register
August 3, 2010 by Tim Landis in State Journal-Register
"There are now 5,000 megawatts of wind generation seeking to connect to the Ameren transmission system in Missouri and Illinois. Because of our central location, our transmission facilities are becoming a thoroughfare for routing wind power from other areas as well," Maureen Borkowski, CEO of the newly formed Ameren Transmission Co. (ATX), said in a conference call.
Also filed under [
Illinois]
Appealed: Group attempts to stop transmission line
March 25, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
March 25, 2011 by Kate Hessling in Huron Daily Tribune
The stay pending appeal asks the commission to withhold its ruling authorizing ITC to begin construction of its 5,000 megawatt proposed transmission line until the Michigan Court of Appeals hears the matter.
ABATE's position for appealing the commission's ruling is that ITC is overbuilding, because a 345 kV double-circuit is not necessary to meet the capacity for power generated in the Thumb.
Also filed under [
Michigan]
Arcing power lines cited as cause of major Utah wildfire
July 12, 2012 by Michael Winter in USA Today
July 12, 2012 by Michael Winter in USA Today
Deputy Utah Fire Marshal Troy Mills says high winds either caused crossing wires to touch or come close enough to spark, sending a surge to the ground and igniting grass. The Wood Hollow Fire burned 75 square miles, or about 47,000 acres, and destroyed more than 100 structures besides homes. It was 100% contained July 2.
Also filed under [
Utah]
Arguments picking up over transmission line
January 17, 2010 by Matt Hildner in The Pueblo Chieftain
January 17, 2010 by Matt Hildner in The Pueblo Chieftain
A decision on whether to build a new transmission line from Pueblo to Walsenburg and on to the San Luis Valley won't come quickly.
But the arguments between the utility companies proposing the line and their opponents have mushroomed as the state and federal government carry out separate reviews.
Also filed under [
Colorado]
Assemblyman, county officials oppose energy towers
December 25, 2009 by Neil Nisperos in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
December 25, 2009 by Neil Nisperos in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
A bill to be introduced by Assemblyman Curt Hagman will fight Southern California Edison's plan to erect large electrical towers near homes in the city.
The 200-foot high voltage towers that Edison aims to construct in Chino Hills are part of its 173-mile green energy project that will travel from wind farms in Kern County to the Los Angeles Basin.
Also filed under [
California]
Like most big, bold ideas, the Atlantic Wind Connection is risky, and this week's Bluewater announcement can hardly be a good portent. AWC - which is a transmission line, not a power-generation project - won't go forward without an offshore wind boom along the Atlantic Coast.
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