News
Category:
Maryland
Shaffer urges Mineral County Commission to approve Wind Force 'Bill of Rights'
November 25, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
November 25, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Shaffer said the escrow agreement would assure that the wind farm "is paid for from the first shovel of dirt to start construction of the wind farm to the decommissioning of the last standing turbine.
"This is the document that will protect individual land owners, and guarantee that turbines on leased or purchased land are the responsibility of the group in possessoin of the turbines when their useful life is over.
Also filed under [
General|
West Virginia]
Garrett wind projects to soon generate power
November 17, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
November 17, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
Two Garrett County wind power projects, the first such in Maryland, are expected to begin commercial operation in a matter of weeks, even as opponents consider taking legal action against the facilties.
A 20-turbine wind farm atop Backbone Mountain at Roth Rock is set to become operational by the end of December.
Also filed under [
General]
Despite the reorganization of the federal offshore leasing bureaucracy, it's possible the red tape holding wind projects back might get streamlined, since the Obama and O'Malley administrations both are strongly behind renewable energy. But economic and political obstacles loom as well. As The New York Times reported this week, the Great Recession and cheap natural gas prices have made regulators in some states leery of letting utilities buy power from "green" energy sources.
Mineral County approves U.S. Wind Force recommendation for decommissioning
November 10, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
November 10, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
After listening to proponents and opponents of wind power for approximately two hours, the Mineral County Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to approve U.S. Wind Force's recommendation to hire G.L. Garrad
Hassan to perform a required decommissioning study on the Pinnacle Wind Farm.
Also filed under [
General]
The Obama administration opened Maryland's coast to offshore wind farms Monday and is seeking bidders to erect more than 300 turbines in a 206-square-mile area off the coast of Ocean City.
The move makes Maryland the second state in the nation, after Delaware, to have reached this stage in off-shore wind development.
Ocean City put a law on their books allowing residential wind turbines specifically because Jim Motsko came to them asking for one. Now, an unforeseen snag has thrown up a new hurdle in his two-year quest.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Mineral County Commissioners have more questions for U.S. Wind Force
October 29, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
October 29, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
The study, required by the West Virginia Public Service Commission as part of its permitting process, is designed to determine the cost of decommissioning, or dismantling, a wind farm after it has exceeded its useful life. That money is then set aside as a means of ensuring that the useless turbines are not abandoned with no means of funding their removal.
Also filed under [
General|
West Virginia]
Military threat to Maryland offshore wind development
October 27, 2010 by James Cartledge in Brighter Energy
October 27, 2010 by James Cartledge in Brighter Energy
CIER Researchers said the offshore wind farm would be unlikely to cause problems at other mid-Atlantic radar stations, but would pose an issue for US military operations on air or sea by Maryland's coastline.
However, they concluded that with sufficient information regarding these activities, "it may be possible to abate conflict".
Also filed under [
General]
Mineral County Commission, U.S. Wind Force, Allegheny Front Alliance look at decommissioning
October 15, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
October 15, 2010 by Liz Beavers in Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Mineral County Commissioners once again heard from both sides of the wind farm issue as they gathered information this week in regard to the independent consultant required to conduct a study of what it would take to decommission - or dismantle - the turbines at Pinnacle Wind Farm once they have outlived their usefulness.
The bill allows the small devices to be erected on poles up to 100 feet high and remain in place for up to one year. The instruments, which typically consist of three small cups spinning on an axle, can be used to determine wind speed in areas being considered for wind turbine construction.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning]
Baltimore Co. Council to vote on permitting wind speed indicators
October 3, 2010 by Raven L. Hill in Baltimore Sun
October 3, 2010 by Raven L. Hill in Baltimore Sun
Issuing temporary permits for wind speed indicators, known as anemometers, would help determine whether turbines are feasible, said Councilman T. Bryan McIntire, whose rural, northern county district has been the source of much of the opposition. ..."I couldn't see authorizing windmills without even knowing if we had enough wind," McIntire said.
Also filed under [
General]
Inspection confirmed that the site was in compliance, according to MDE spokesman Jay Apperson.
But  Apperson declined to comment on the possibility of fines or other punitive measures against Synergics, saying the situation is "still an active case."
Also filed under [
General]
"The state has to meet a certain percentage of its power goals by 2022," she said. "If (the state) took all of its land space sources that currently existed, it wouldn't meet that goal, so offshore wind was identified as a potential source of alternative energy."
Also filed under [
General]
Also filed under [
Transmission|
West Virginia]
Construction of Garrett wind farm at standstill
September 5, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
September 5, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
Major construction on a Garrett County wind farm remains at a standstill more than one week after state environmental officials ordered a halt over violations related to water runoff and soil erosion controls.
Also filed under [
Impact on Landscape]
Erosion violations halt Garrett County wind project; State finds 'numerous' problems on Synergics site
August 27, 2010 by Timothy B. Wheeler in The Baltimore Sun
August 27, 2010 by Timothy B. Wheeler in The Baltimore Sun
The state officials advised the companies Aug. 3 to stop grading and excavating until the controls were in place, and both agreed to do so. ...Follow-up inspections on Aug. 9 and 17 found the companies had not completed all the erosion controls.
Also filed under [
Erosion]
Mineral commission punts on comprehensive plan vote
August 25, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
August 25, 2010 by Megan Miller in Cumberland Times-News
Wind Force had attempted to submit written comments and a full markup of the plan to the planning commission approximately one month after a public meeting held in June to collect public comment on the document. The planning commission refused to consider the Wind Force comments, stating that the comment period had closed.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
West Virginia]
A neighbor's concerns over noise have put plans for Ocean City's first backyard wind turbine on hold, as town officials await more information on just how loud the spinning blades will be.
Also filed under [
Noise]
Mineral County Commissioners questioned on validity of plan
August 12, 2010 by Liz Beavers in News-Tribune
August 12, 2010 by Liz Beavers in News-Tribune
A threatened lawsuit and claims that the county has not followed proper procedure in crafting its updated 10-Year Comprehensive Plan sparked a heated exchange this week between Mineral County Commission President Wayne Spiggle and attorney Jack Barr.
Also filed under [
Zoning/Planning|
West Virginia]
After years of planning and bitter debate, Maryland's first commercial wind energy project is taking shape in rugged Garrett County - just as a new legal challenge arises that could alter or even halt the $140 million venture in its tracks.
Also filed under [
General]
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