www.windaction.org

Wind energy debate sweeps Statehouse
March 18, 2011 by Ben Botkin in Magic Valley Times-News

Opponents of wind energy, primarily from eastern Idaho, say that the state needs to slow down and develop a clearer plan that takes into account issues like the impact on nearby homeowners, the environment and utility rates.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

House committee considering moratorium on wind turbine construction
March 17, 2011 by Mitch Coffman in Idaho Record

Errol Jones, a member of the Bonneville County Planning and Zoning Commission, who is also for the moratorium, said at one time as a member of the board he was in favor of wind farms, but now says people need to really sit back and think about the consequences of building them.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Bill would place two-year moratorium on new wind farms
March 15, 2011 by Dustin Hurst in Idaho Reporter

Simpson told his colleagues that while he supports renewable energy, wind farms may be responsible for rate hikes in some areas of the Gem State.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Future of Idaho wind energy hinges on expiring tax break
February 27, 2011 by Ben Botkin in Magic Valley Times-News

The rebate program that exempts renewable energy developers from paying the state's 6 percent sales tax is set to expire on June 30. Meant to give the fledgling industry a foothold in Idaho when it passed the Legislature in 2005, the rebate has become central to the industry's business plans for the Gem State. Loss of the rebate would dull Idaho's competitive edge over other states.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

New guidelines would temper wind energy development effects
February 23, 2011 by Laura Lundquist in Times-News writer Magicvalley

The FWS recently released a draft of its voluntary guidelines for land-based wind energy project development in an effort to encourage responsible selection of project locations. The tougher guidelines could affect the China Mountain wind farm proposed for southern Twin Falls County, among others in Idaho, because they define "mitigation" as avoiding potential wildlife problems.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| USA]

Wind farm denied in Bingham County
February 23, 2011 by Troy Campbell in KIFI News

Also filed under [ General]

Sales agreements with four wind projects approved
February 18, 2011 by Gene Fadness in Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Idaho Power said it would accept these four projects to comply with its federal PURPA mandate to accept power generated from qualifying renewable facilities but, at the same time, stated that the "continuing and unchecked requirement" for Idaho Power to acquire additional intermittent generation regardless of the utility's need for additional energy "increases the price its customers must pay for their energy needs."

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Idaho sides with utilities over wind-farm builders
February 9, 2011 by Rocky Barker and John Miller in Idaho Statesman

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has temporarily lowered the maximum size of wind and solar plants that qualify under federal law for a program that requires power companies to buy their electricity at favorable rates.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Commission adjusts size cap for wind, solar projects
February 7, 2011 by Gene Fadness in Idaho Public Utilities Commission

In today's order, the commission states the utilities have made a "convincing case," to temporarily reduce the eligibility cap for wind and solar projects only until these issues can be resolved. The 100-kW cap does not include all types of renewable projects, such as biomass, hydro, geothermal and anaerobic digestion, because these types of projects do not pose the same type of issues as those posed by wind and solar.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Idaho energy rebate could be victim of own success
January 27, 2011 by John Miller in Associated Press

Wind developers who are pushing to extend a tax break that has helped bolster their industry in Idaho suffered a blow because state officials say the success of the program is undermining efforts to balance the budget.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Commission denies wind farm permit
January 27, 2011 by Kendra Evensen in Idaho State Journal

The Bingham County Planning and Zoning Commission denied a wind company's request for a special use permit to complete the second phase of its wind farm development on Wednesday. Blue Ribbon Energy requested a special use permit to install nine wind turbines.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind farm project to seek support of Twin Falls City Council
January 24, 2011 in Magic Valley Times-News

The project is drawing some concern for how it may impact the greater sage grouse population. The sage grouse has been named a candidate species for federal protection because of its struggling population. Few studies exist on how wind farms affect sage grouse, limiting scientific predictions of the impact.

Also filed under [ Impact on Wildlife| Impact on Birds]

For Idaho, change is in the wind
January 16, 2011 by Rocky Barker in Idaho Statesman

Idaho's wind industry boomed after the Legislature created a tax incentive in 2005. That incentive is set to expire this year, and opponents of wind farms see the coming debate over renewal as their chance to demand more accountability and more say.

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

Community group protests any wind farm development or expansion
January 8, 2011 in KIDK TV

A group in Bingham County is making it clear, they don't want to see any more windmills in the area. A couple dozen concerned citizens gathered outside the Bingham County courthouse Friday to protest wind farm expansions.

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

BP Wind Turbines Damaged
January 4, 2011 by Aaron Kunz in KPVI News 6

Sergeant Jeff Edwards says BP Wind Energy reported that one of their wind turbines were shot twice sometime in the last two weeks. The bullets he says hit the top of the turbines near the fins.

Also filed under [ General]

Concerned about grouse, groups ask China Mountain developer to reconsider
January 2, 2011 by Laura Lundquist in Magic Valley Times-News

While a massive wind farm is proposed for the China Mountain area in southern Twin Falls County, considerations for the well-being of the greater sage grouse could potentially derail the project. The 100- to 200-turbine project is proposed for public and private land that is important to grouse habitat and already declining due to recent wildfires and other factors.

Idaho wind company proposes unusual sale
January 1, 2011 by Laura Lundquist in Magic Valley Times-News

As it stands, California utilities buy the energy and energy credits together. But after the initial purchase, the credits can be "unbundled" from the energy so utilities can just buy the credit. That's the loophole Idaho Winds hopes to use. Idaho Winds can't sell the credits in Idaho because the state doesn't have such a law, so its utilities don't need credits.

Wind farm agrees to fund transmission upgrade
December 15, 2010 by Laura Lundquist in Magic Valley Times-News

With wind farms sprouting all over southern Idaho, newer companies are being required to install more than just turbines. ...The 10 MW will itself be enough to stress Idaho Power's transmission capability. Idaho Power discovered threat of an overload in 2007 when Idaho Winds proposed a slightly smaller project.

Also filed under [ Transmission]

Permit denied for Bingham County wind turbines
November 20, 2010 by Kendra Evensen in Idaho State Journal

The commission voted five to one to deny the request based on a lack of pertinent information and the development's close proximity to homes. "This (would be) the closest wind farm to residences in the county" said Commissioner Brutch Merrill.

Also filed under [ General]

E. Idaho county restricts wind farm development
November 19, 2010 by The Associated Press in Middletown Journal

The planning and zoning commission created a "turbine zone" in the southern part of the county where wind farms will be allowed. "We decided on that so we could take some time to slow down and figure out how to allow these (turbines) without infringing on other people's rights."

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]