www.windaction.org | Transmission

Ian Bowles zaps ‘Soviet' grid; Sees higher Mass. electric Bills
November 10, 2010 by Jay Fitzgerald in Boston Herald

Bowles said he's still leery of any FERC plan, saying it's a "slippery slope" toward a more centralized national electric system that could harm Bay State ratepayers and the state's efforts to promote renewable fuels. "We're concerned," said Bowles, adding there has "certainly been Soviet-type thinking" surrounding the entire concept.

Also filed under [ USA| Massachusetts]

Iberdrola to Sell Units for $1.3 Billion
May 26, 2010 by Bernd Radowitz and Christine Buurma in Wall Street Journal

Spanish electricity producer Iberdrola SA said Tuesday it agreed to sell three U.S. natural-gas subsidiaries, in a deal valued at $1.3 billion, to help finance a major project to improve New England's power infrastructure. ...

Also filed under [ Maine]

Idaho's power line route reveals clashing values, dueling processes
November 5, 2012 by Rocky Barker in Idaho Statesman

The decision to toss out two routes across the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey area that had been negotiated by the involved parties has brought ire from local, state and national Idaho politicians. At the same time, it has brought praise from a national environmental group seeking to preserve the protections of the landscape-conservation system that includes the Birds of Prey area.

Also filed under [ Idaho]

In North Country, battle preparations; Power line project meeting resistance
November 27, 2010 by Tara Ballenger in Concord Monitor

North Country residents aren't crazy about the routes Northern Pass transmission lines would take through their towns. Northeast Utilities, the parent company of Public Service of New Hampshire, is planning to build a new converter terminal in Franklin.

Also filed under [ New Hampshire]

Input sought on line routes
July 30, 2010 by Nancy Madsen in Watertown Daily News

Galloo Island Wind Farm's developer is asking for public comment again, this time on four possible routes for a transmission line. Upstate NY Power Corp. on Monday will begin a series of public information meetings in Jefferson and Oswego counties about the routes.

Also filed under [ New York]

Insurers losing patience with offshore wind cabling claims
November 30, 2012 by Christopher Hopson in Recharge News

Insurers are increasingly concerned about the mounting number of expensive cable-installation claims in offshore wind projects, with the large number of incidents put down to a complex mix of human factors and technical issues.

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind| Europe]

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approves transmission line on north side of Steens Mountain
December 30, 2011 by Richard Cockle in The Oregonian

Among the environmental group's objections: The Echanis wind turbines would go on 10,000 acres along a ridge used by golden eagles and other raptors and could block migration routes for elk and mule deer. Power generated by the turbines also is likely to go directly to California "at the cost of one of Oregon's crown jewels," Little said.

Also filed under [ Oregon]

Invenergy plans two additional central Montana wind farms, buys capacity on proposed transmission line
April 10, 2010 by Karl Puckett in Great Falls Tribune

Chicago-based Invenergy Wind Development LLC, the owner of Montana's second-largest wind farm, is planning to construct two additional wind facilities in the Great Falls region and has agreed to co-develop and co-finance a new transmission line needed to ship the power to market. ...The 350-megawatts Invenergy plans to ship on the line would be generated at wind farms the company has in the works near Belt and Cut Bank, Jacobson said. Construction is expected to begin in two to five years.

Also filed under [ Montana]

Is a new Solyndra emerging?
November 8, 2011 by Steven Mufson in The Washington Post

But Friedman said that the project "raises questions about the sufficiency and effectiveness of internal controls" at Western Area Power Authority. "In the event of a project failure, Western and ultimately the U.S. taxpayer could bear a large financial burden," he wrote.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| USA| Montana]

ITC power line raises questions
April 13, 2010 by Mike Corn in Hays Daily News

No one voiced outright opposition to the construction of a 345,000-volt power line, but residents along the way raised several questions and concerns. More than 100 people turned out Monday night in Stockton for a two-phase public hearing into the second phase of a massive power line project stretching from Hays to the Nebraska border. The first half of the meeting was informal, while the second half took on a more court-like appearance, with speakers sworn in by a court reporter who took down everything that was said.

Also filed under [ Kansas]