John Bambacus thinks now is the time to have wind turbine regulations in place in Allegany County "rather than react after the fact." County Planning Commission member Bill Davis, however, sees no point in modifying the admittedly loose industrial wind turbine regulations currently on the books. Discussion around the two opposite positions could make some headway on Monday at the commission's work session at 3 p.m. at the County Office Complex. The county is in the process of modifying its definitions and considering other modifications to the zoning code regarding industrial wind energy conversion systems and wind turbines for residential and agricultural uses.

Questions remain, but it appears Navitas Energy will proceed with its wind farm project near El Paso using only 36 wind towers. The Woodford County Board last month approved a special use permit for the Minneapolis-based company, but stipulated that six towers remaining within 1 ½ miles of El Paso be removed. The company earlier agreed to move six other towers near U.S. 24 and Interstate 39 to a southern part of the 3,000-acre site. Wanda Davies of Navitas said the company likely will proceed with a reduced number of towers, but using larger turbines - 2.2 megawatts instead of 2.

Work is underway to locate a second wind turbine farm in Lambton County. Dawn-Euphemia council has been approached by IPC Energy and Sydenham Energy Corporation, which are partnering on a proposed project to construct up to 40 wind turbines in the south Lambton municipality that would produce up to 80 megawatts of power. ...Council has been asked to implement zoning processes in its official plan that would allow for wind turbines in Dawn-Euphemia. The project partners have also asked for site specific zoning changes for specific properties.

Councillors have withdrawn three of their four objections to plans for a wind farm in Northumberland. Members of Berwick Borough Council Planning Committee have unanimously agreed to amend their views on a proposal to erect turbines at Wandylaw, near Chathill, after the release of the Regional Spatial Strategy, drawn up by the North East Assembly to set out future land use. One objection remains - about the effect of turbines on the air defence radar at RAF Brizlee Wood, Alnwick.

Bylaws for large windmills that supply all of their energy to Nova Scotia power grids are already in place. Fulton says in some cases, businesses owning the smaller wind turbines can participate in the Nova Scotia Power program called Net Metering. ...The small wind turbine issue is in the discussion stage with the planning committee now, but action is expected after the municipal election on Oct. 18.

The company has requested a zoning bylaw amendment to the town's official plan to rezone the subject lands from agricultural general zone and environmental protection zone to agricultural general exception and environmental protection to construct the wind energy system. The wind turbines would be anywhere from 79 metres to 108 metres to the hub (the final height has yet to be determined), plus another 41 metres to the top of the blade.

Trustpower's appeal against the resource consent for its $380 million wind farm near Gore was likely to be resolved without going to an Environment Court hearing, Gore district planner Keith Hovell said yesterday. ...The levy, which was set by the Gore District Council's consent panel at 0.2 percent of the project's cost, or about $760,000, was one of three consent conditions Trustpower has objected to. Its appeal also opposed shadow flicker rules and the composition of a community consultation group.

Cohasset could be on its way to getting its two biggest fans - wind turbines, that is. This coming Monday, Sept. 8 at 8p.m., the Planning Board will begin what will likely be a series of public hearings on an application proposing two wind turbines on the Graham Waste site off Route 3A. The project application, put forth by a private developer, proposes the installation of two 1.65-megawatt sized wind turbines. ...The public hearings, essentially a site plan review for the project, will include an in-depth look at all aspects of the project and its potential impacts. The application includes a 70-page feasibility study, which outlines the project from a wind analysis to potential noise, shadow flicker, visual and avian impacts to estimated energy outputs.

Cheryl Wagner, a URW member and a vocal opponent throughout the process, says she can only speak in general terms. Wagner said a proposal was given to Horizon, which the energy company is currently reviewing. The proposal was drawn up by Porter and agreed upon by URW. Neither Wagner nor Porter would disclose what was in the proposal, but an appeal may hinge upon whether or not it is accepted. "Horizon said they really want to do this (project)," said Wagner. "But, they're not willing to give a property value guarantee."

Despite the national and global focus on energy sources and costs, Worcester County might not pursue an ordinance allowing small wind turbines in rural areas until at least next year. ...Commissioner Bobby Cowger felt there was no rush to draft an ordinance, saying it could wait until the comprehensive rezoning is complete. Wind power guidelines could be started in the winter and then be finished sometime next summer.

The Bureau of Land Management, Cedar City and Fillmore Field Offices announce the availability of a preliminary Environmental Assessment, draft Finding of No Significant Impact and initiation of a 30-day public comment period for the Milford Wind Corridor Project. The project proponent is First Wind, LLC, - formerly known as UPC Wind Management, LLC. ...A preliminary EA has been prepared by CH2M HILL environmental consultants under the direction of the BLM. The EA analyzes possible impact on the environment resulting from construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the project.

The crux of the proposal was the addition of new definitions for terminology central to the bylaw, namely "cumulative effects", "development permit" and "viewshed," a new term coined specifically within the context of wind turbines and their impact on scenic landscapes. ...Representing the wind power industry at the meeting were Allan Kettles of Benign Energy and Kevin Van Koughnett of TransAlta Wind. Speaking on behalf of the wind industry, Kettles expressed his displeasure over the fact that the MD did not consult the industry directly when formulating the amendments. "The Alberta government goes to industry in the case of major legislation changes," he asserted.

Washington Township, Lehigh County, officials see wind power as a potentially clean and affordable source of energy. They also worry that it could be ugly and unneighborly. Earlier this week, township supervisors voted to limit where residents can set up wind turbines on their properties and restricted their height. The new ordinance also limits turbines to one per property, and requires the energy from them to be used only by the owner, although excess power can be sold back to PPL Electric Utilities.

Town Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck began the wind law committee's meeting on Thursday afternoon by clearing up some mistakes and misconceptions about the draft amendment to the zoning law. "No one was ever interested in it being in anywhere but the agricultural-residential district," he said. To that end, the committee agreed to add a setback from the riverfront and lakefront district boundaries of one and a half times the height of the turbine.

Suburban DeWitt is the latest town to grapple with how to handle wind turbines. The planning board is proposing an ordinance that would ban from residential properties the tall, bladed turbines most typically in use, chair Michael Lazar said. But the ordinance would allow another, less common type of wind conversion generator - a vertical axis wind turbine, he said. Typical wind turbines or windmills would be permitted only on land zoned for industrial or high-tech use, Lazar said.

A group in southeastern Idaho has requested a judicial review of the Bingham County commissioners' approval of two wind farms. Natural Guardian Limited Partnership of Idaho Falls requested the review late last month because it said the production of energy is not in compliance with a county ordinance. The group also said there were inconsistencies within the county's planning and zoning decisions when it came to approving the wind farms.

Town Planner Eric Smith has begun circulating a proposed bylaw that would regulate public and private use of small wind energy systems. The draft of the bylaw, which Smith sent via e-mail to numerous local leaders, lays out guidelines and requirements for installing and using wind turbines that generate less than 60 kilowatts of energy. Town leaders who received Smith's e-mail showed excitement Wednesday. ...Large turbines, which generate more than 60 kilowatts of wind energy, require a separate set of bylaws, drafts of which Smith began circulating among town leaders last week.

The go ahead for one of the UK's largest offshore wind farms to date will be announced by the Prime Minister today, in a speech to business leaders. The 500MW West of Duddon Sands wind farm is planned near Walney Island off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria and will comprise of up to 139 turbines. ...The Energy Secretary John Hutton has also approved an updated application from Ormonde Energy Limited to build a 150MW wind farm comprising of up to 30 turbines, which will also be sited near to Walney Island.

The state Public Service Commission has deemed NYRI's application complete and scheduled public hearings, including one in Oneonta in October, on the proposed 400,000-watt power line. Introduced about 21/2 years ago by New York Regional Interconnect Inc., the proposed direct-current line would run about 190 miles, from Marcy in Oneida County to New Windsor in Orange County.

The Cattaraugus County Legislature will vote on a local law next week that is expected to trigger wind farm construction proposals in some areas of the county. The law would provide no tax exemption for alternative energy systems including wind, solar and farm waste. By opting out of tax exemptions for alternative energy systems, most notably wind farms, the law would open up the option of payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT payments) ...Legislators in July tabled a resolution to hire Hiscock & Barclay, a law firm with offices in Buffalo, to advise county lawmakers on legal issues surrounding wind farms.