www.windaction.org

Donald Trump discusses controversial tweet about Palm Springs
September 18, 2012 by Bianca Rae in KESQ News Channel 3

"I don't consider green energy ugly turbines sticking up out of the ground and killing birds by the tens of thousands. I don't consider that green energy, I call that destructive energy," Trump said. "I've seen Palm Springs many times, I love Palm Springs, and it's just very sad to see what's happened when you look at what's going on when you enter the town and you see that disaster of wind turbines all over the place."

Also filed under [ General| California]

Donald Trump: 'Wind turbines have destroyed Palm Springs'
September 18, 2012 by Liz Kelly Nelson in The Desert Sun

Don't count Donald Trump among fans of wind power. On Monday, the developer and "Apprentice" host went on the record - Twitter - with his thoughts about the wind turbines that line the roads leading to Palm Springs. "Ugly wind turbines have destroyed the entrance to Palm Springs, CA," he tweeted. "These mon[s]trosities are ruining landscapes all over the globe-expensive & bad electric."

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape| Impact on Views| California]

Texas wind boom threatened by expiring tax credit
September 14, 2012 by Kate Galbraith in Texas Tribune

Some wind experts think the credit extension will ultimately pass Congress, albeit after the November election ...others do not, and the industry is left to bemoan the difficulty of long-term planning. A one-year extension could mean the wrangling resumes next year. Hornaday said that Texas could benefit more than other states from a one-year extension because there are fewer rules here, making wind farms easier to build.

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

Two new lawsuits filed over Ocotillo Wind
September 13, 2012 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine

Two new lawsuits were filed September 11, 2012 against federal officials and the U.S. government seeking an injunction to halt construction at Pattern Energy's Ocotillo Express industrial wind project.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Impact on Landscape| USA| California]

Job outlook unclear for DMI workers; Dallas-based firm buys plant for $20M
September 7, 2012 by Marino Eccher in INFORUM

The prospect of the sale was first announced last month, when Otter Tail said it had a nonbinding letter of interest to sell DMI. The company said the economics of the wind power industry and expiring tax credits were hurting demand for turbines.

Also filed under [ General| Oklahoma| Texas]

Two Nueces County school districts oppose wind farms
September 7, 2012 by Mark Collette in Corpus Christi Caller

The governing boards of the London and Bishop districts each unanimously approved the measures, saying industrial-scale wind turbines are unsightly, devalue surrounding property, create noise and affect wildlife and livestock. The resolutions come as E.On Climate & Renewables hopes to begin construction on its 80-turbine farm near Petronila in 2013.

Also filed under [ General| Texas]

Renewable incentives spark debate at Texas hearing
September 7, 2012 by Kate Galbraith in Texas Tribune

"Federal incentives for renewable energy, I believe, have distorted the competitive wholesale market" on the Texas grid, Nelson told the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Nelson said she believes those distortions are "one of the primary causes" of the current strains on the grid, and added: "I think we all need to move with extreme caution before adopting any additional incentives or mandates."

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Energy Policy| Texas]

Wind turbines still possible in Suisun Marsh in Solano County
August 31, 2012 by Melissa Murphy in The Reporter

After much discussion during a public hearing Tuesday, the Solano County Board of Supervisors voted to continue its policy that prohibits wind turbine projects in the primary management area in the marsh, but permit them in the secondary management area.

Also filed under [ General| California]

Fires burning near Hatchet Mountain wind turbines
August 19, 2012 in Record Searchlight

Two lightning-sparked fires are burning on Hatchet Mountain near the mountain's namesake wind turbines, fire officials said.

Also filed under [ Safety| California]

Firefighters gain upper hand on Jawbone Complex
August 16, 2012 by Rebecca Kheel in The Bakersfield Californian

The fire is burning in the middle of three wind parks, said Jim Wilkins, a spokesman for the incident team. It threatened hundreds of wind turbines, damaged at least three and forced others offline.

Also filed under [ Safety| California]

Wind turbines fall victim to Jawbone Canyon wildfires
August 15, 2012 by Courtenay Edelhart in The Bakersfield Californian

At least three wind turbines have been lost to a wildfire that has been burning since late last week in the Jawbone Canyon Recreation Area near Tehachapi, and additional turbines might be threatened. The turbines belonged to NextEra Energy Resources.

Also filed under [ Safety| Structural Failure| California]

Court hearing Sept 7 for residents seeking temporary restraining order against Ocotillo Express Wind
August 13, 2012 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine

Plaintiffs contend that irreparable harm has occurred and that an injunction is necessary to protect human life, public safety and environmental injury. Already permanent harm has been done to desert habitat by illegal activities, the suit adds. The lawsuit is one of at least five filed by numerous organizations seeking to halt the project.

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape| Impact on People| California]

Dozens head out to protest wind farm project in Ocotillo
August 11, 2012 by Elizabeth Varin in Imperial Valley Press

Protesters that marched and chanted in front of construction equipment Saturday said they felt like they won the day, stalling work on a wind farm in the area for a time.

Also filed under [ General| California]

California braces for power-grid test amid heat wave
August 10, 2012 by Rory Carroll in Reuters

California's plan to dramatically increase reliance on renewable power sources, such as solar and wind, while shutting a number of ocean-side plants that supply power around the clock will challenge power grid operators to keep the lights on.

Also filed under [ General| California]

State lawmakers pass meteorological tower safety bill
August 10, 2012 by Paul Burgarino in Contra Costa Times

Legislation setting stricter standards for marking meteorological towers after a fatal plane crash on a Delta island last year awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature. The bill, approved by the state Assembly on Thursday, requires that all such towers 50 feet and taller be clearly marked.

Also filed under [ Safety| Injury| California]

Tule Wind project gets green light
August 8, 2012 by Maureen Cavanaugh, Patty Lane, Peggy Pico and City News Service in KPBS

But Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group, said her community opposes the project because the turbines emit low frequency noise, vibration and electrical pollution through "stay voltage that's discharged into the ground and migrates into people's homes." Tisdale said she's received complaints that existing turbines are making people in a 3 mile radius sick.

Also filed under [ General| California]

Take a stand in the sand: Protesters seek to save Ocotillo from destruction on Saturday, August 11
August 8, 2012 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine

Up to 40 million acres of public lands are targeted for industrialization with renewable energy development. Among the first of these large-scale projects is Ocotillo Wind, a 12,500 acre wind project now under construction ...has left horrified residents convinced this is anything but green.

Also filed under [ Impact on Landscape| Impact on People| California]

Wind turbine starts fire near Tehachapi
July 30, 2012 by Chris Clarke in Rewire

A large wind turbine burst into flame late Friday night in the mountains above Mojave, causing a small grassfire. The fire took place near the intersection of Oak Creek and Tehachapi Willow Springs roads.

Also filed under [ Safety| Structural Failure| California]

Gulf turbine plan sparks wildlife debate
July 29, 2012 by Colin McDonald in San Antonio Express-News

"Construction of the proposed North Rio Grande and Rio Grande offshore wind energy development sites in South Texas would result in a nearly contiguous string of wind energy developments within a 35-mile wide corridor from San Patricio County southward to Cameron County," wrote Ross Melinchuk, deputy executive director of natural resources at TPWD.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Texas]

SDG&E celebrates opening of substation near alpine and completion of Sunrise Powerlink
July 27, 2012 by Miriam Raftery in East County Magazine

Atop a former mountaintop blasted away for the project's construction, Governor Jerry Brown and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined with energy industry executives to celebrate what they view as a milestone in meeting the state's ambitious renewable energy goals. Hailing Powerlink as a "great project", Governor Brown acknowledged that "every step forward is met with resistance," then quipped, "There's more here than were protesting down the street."

Also filed under [ Transmission| California]

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