www.windaction.org

New hope for ‘devastating' wind farm campaigners
August 10, 2009 by Stephen Hurrell in Click Green

The wind farm has faced opposition from environmental groups Plans for a massive Shetland Islands wind farm which campaigners believe will have a devastating effect on the environment could be blocked by a landmark report. A report by the Scottish Parliament last week warned of the "significant adverse" impact of another wind farm on Lewis in the Hebrides.

Also filed under [ UK]

Row over mansion 'ruined' by wind farm
August 8, 2009 by Alastair Robertson in Scotland on Sunday

It is a baroque masterpiece designed by one of the world's greatest architects and among the north of Scotland's biggest tourist attractions. Looming above are pieces of 21st-century engineering kit that rise to 330 feet above the skyline. Now, Scotland's cultural watchdog, Historic Scotland, has been accused of failing to protect the 18th-century Duff House from the effects of massive wind turbines.

Also filed under [ UK]

Woodbury homeowner associations an obstacle to city's hopes for alternative energy
August 8, 2009 by Bob Shaw in Pioneer Press

Woodbury wanted to think green. But now, it is having to think again. The city's ambitious plans to promote renewable energy are hitting a wall that is blocking green efforts coast-to-coast - homeowners' associations. The associations are fighting city efforts to allow solar panels and wind turbines. ...Because associations control about 70 percent of the homes in Woodbury, the resistance of the associations could cripple alternative-energy efforts.

Also filed under [ Minnesota]

Landmark report bounces wind farm plans and sets a precedent for scenic areas
August 7, 2009 in GreenWire.org.uk

Isle of Lewis is an area of outstanding beauty Conservation campaigners have welcomed a Scottish Parliament report that has slated plans for Lewis wind farm because it would destroy the scenic view. ...The Report - commissioned by Scottish Ministers - concluded: "Support for renewable energy development and the need to protect and enhance Scotland's natural and historic environment must be regarded as compatible goals.

Also filed under [ UK]

Misleading images, but you'll grow to like wind turbines says Minister
August 7, 2009 in Northumberland Gazette

A wind farm company was 'counter-productive' in misleading people living in north Northumberland over the height of turbines planned near to their homes, the Government's energy minister has said. ...E.ON fell foul of the Advertising Standards Agency after promotional photomontages for the proposed West Ancroft installation showed turbines only 43 metres tall. Two complaints against the company were upheld, that the images were misleading and breached rules on truthfulness.

Also filed under [ UK]

Looser windmill rules defeated
August 6, 2009 by Jordan Schrader in Asheville Citizen-Times

Rows of wind turbines are unlikely to be spinning atop mountain ridges anytime soon. A Senate committee on Wednesday rejected a proposal that would have paved the way for large-scale wind energy production in the mountains. Large wind turbines are banned under the state's interpretation of a law restricting ridge development. The Agriculture Committee advanced a proposal that would keep it that way, changing the ridge law to cement the ban.

Also filed under [ North Carolina]

Cumulative visual impact evidence
August 1, 2009 by Grant Miller in Manawatu Standard

The man whose research drew attention to public unease about more wind farm development in Manawatu says he is not surprised his work has attracted stinging attacks. Social impact assessment specialist James Baines said a contentious issue raised by his research cumulative visual effects was always going to attract attention. According to Mr Baines' research, public support for wind farms in Manawatu remained strong, but that support was at a "tipping point".

Also filed under [ Australia / New Zealand]

Wind Power raises questions
July 28, 2009 by Naomi Klouda in Homer Tribune

If windmills go up on properties lining Kachemak Bay, they could destroy the view, two people testified at the Homer City Council meeting Monday night. An ordinance introduced at the meeting outlines guidelines for those who want to set up wind generation towers. At issue is whether, and under what specifications, the city will allow them. The measure is up for public testimony Aug. 10 and 24.

Also filed under [ Alaska]

Council says no to Rockefeller wind turbines in Hobart
July 28, 2009 in ABC

Tasmania prides itself on being clean and green, but controversy is never too far away. A plan to create clean power by building wind turbines on a Hobart office block has been knocked back by the local council. In a fiery meeting last night, Hobart City aldermen said the installation of wind turbines would block the view of Mount Wellington and could even pose a risk to sky divers.

Also filed under [ Australia / New Zealand]

Chasing the wind: Deep-water turbine farms could overshadow near-shore projects like Nantucket Sound's
July 20, 2009 by Beth Daley in Boston Globe

Could the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm become obsolete before it is even built? ...technological advances in recent years are allowing developers elsewhere to consider building wind turbines farther from shore, where they would be less visible. ...If these and similar projects prove viable, some wind energy specialists and developers say, they could leapfrog closer-to-shore projects like Cape Wind.

Also filed under [ USA| Massachusetts]

Extra turbines refused over visual impact
July 17, 2009 in Planning Resource

The installation of three further turbines at a wind farm in west Wales has been rejected after an inspector concluded that their visual impact on users of a nearby road would be unacceptable.

Also filed under [ UK]

Lawmakers aim to protect scenery with windmill limits
July 15, 2009 by By Jordan Schrader in Citizen-Times

A proposed change to North Carolina's ridge protection law unveiled Tuesday would prevent large-scale wind energy production in the mountains. At the urging of some mountain senators, the state Senate Finance Committee added the restrictions to a bill moving through the General Assembly that will shape where windmills are allowed to be built statewide.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy| North Carolina]

Beauty spots could become wind farms
July 5, 2009 by Alice Cannet in Politics.co.uk

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) like the Lake District national park could be the sites of new energy infrastructure including wind farms, Ed Miliband has suggested. Asked if wind farms could be considered in AONBs, Mr Miliband said: "In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible for some limited development to take place without unacceptable impacts on these important sites."

Also filed under [ UK]

Proposed wind turbine would damage natural beauty, say councillors
June 18, 2009 in Chichester Observer

A wind turbine proposed for a countryside location at Hooksway would damage an area of outstanding natural beauty and the setting of a listed building, district councillors ruled. The northern area development control committee voted 6-4 to refuse planning permission for the turbine, at Hooksway Lane.

Also filed under [ UK]

Lighthouse commands special attention
June 16, 2009 by Eric McCarthy in The Journal Pioneer

At 20.6 metres, the tower, with its distinctive black bands on the three sides facing the water, is the tallest structure along the coast. It is, however, dwarfed by the 80-metre towers in the nearby West Cape wind farm. This wind farm is still growing; some of the towers haven't been completed.

Also filed under [ Canada]

Blimp shows turbine height
May 14, 2009 in Harborough Today

Campaigners fighting plans for a wind farm near the Naseby battlefield site say new proposals to move the turbines further east will make no difference to their visual impact for villagers. ...the latest plans place the turbines on lower ground further east, still south of the A14 but closer to Kelmarsh Hall. Eon says this will create less visual impact on the villages of Naseby and Haselbech.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| UK]

Wind farm developer comes under fire over 'inaccurate' images
May 7, 2009 by Adam Drummond in The Berwick Advertiser

Derek Woolerton, a chartered landscape architect, and expert witness for Northumberland County Council, was cross-examined by the appellants yesterday. When questioned by Elizabeth Dunn, advocate for Moorsyde Wind Farm Ltd, he said some photomontages produced in support of the Moorsyde application were 'highly unsatisfactory and quite unhelpful.'

Also filed under [ UK]

State shields 700 acres
February 28, 2009 by Jennifer Huberdeau in North Adams Transcript

The state plans to protect over 700 acres of ridge line in the Hoosac Mountain range from any future development, including wind turbines, as the Berkshire Natural Resources Council continues to create a corridor of land connecting the Florida and Savoy Mountain state forests. Part of the plan calls for a major hiking trail for North Berkshire.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Massachusetts]

Up in the air; Balloon tests show height of wind farm
February 27, 2009 by Shirley Ibach in The Observer

Balloon tests performed this week in Westfield gave residents their first real feel of the height of the proposed Ripley-Westfield wind farm. Babcock and Brown performed the test as part of their environmental impact study required by the state. "The balloon testing is performed in support of the visual impact assessment to be included in the DEIS," said Peter Gross of Babcock and Brown.

Also filed under [ New York]

Mill Creek wind farm decision released
February 18, 2009 by Wellington Government

Planning commissioners have given approval for the construction of Meridian Energy's Mill Creek wind farm west of Wellington - but with 29 wind turbines instead of the 31 proposed by Meridian. The visual impact of two of the 111-metre tall turbines, at the southern end of the site, on nearby farms and properties was the principal reason why the commissioners turned them down. The 200-page decision report by independent commissioners David Hill (Chair), David McMahon and Pamela Peters has been released today.

Also filed under [ Impact on People| Australia / New Zealand]

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Impact on Landscape and Impact on Views