www.windaction.org | North Carolina

Wind energy permitting process among new NC laws
May 18, 2013 by The Associated Press in The Daily Reflector

The legislation sets parameters for permit applications that include public hearings so opponents can raise concerns. State regulators could deny an application if a project could adversely affect the environment, private landowners or military operations.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Wind turbine permit bill passes N.C. House
May 3, 2013 by Sue Book in Sun Journal

Commanders of bases like Cherry Point air station and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base cannot approve or oppose any wind turbine project under orders from the U.S. Secretary of Defense. This bill requires that they be notified and would allow hearings on proposed wind turbine projects, which lie in the flight path or training areas for the military.

Also filed under [ Safety]

Certificate to build large N.C. wind farm is renewed
May 2, 2013 by Jeff Hampton in The Virginian-Pilot

Atlantic Wind, a subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables, has yet to sign a contract with a power company to purchase electricity generated by the proposed 150 turbines, said Wayne Harris, director of economic development in Pasquotank County.

Also filed under [ General]

Hager's bill to end NC's renewables policy refuses to die
May 1, 2013 by John Murawski in News and Observer

"This misguided policy acts much like a hidden tax. Experience has shown that renewable energy mandates, like the one on the books in North Carolina, have a negative impact on the economy and an adverse impact on your constituents' pocketbooks."

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Hager vows bill capping renewable energy mandate remains alive
April 26, 2013 by Dan Way in Carolina Journal

A handful of House Republicans dealt a stunning blow to state Rep. Mike Hager's bill to phase out slowly North Carolina's subsidies, tax credits, and purchase mandates propping up renewable energy companies. Despite this setback, the Rutherford County Republican said he plans to bring House Bill 298 to another committee vote.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Wind turbines could stall military pilot training
April 19, 2013 by Wes Wolfe in The Free Press

An F-15E Strike Eagle drops through the sky on a low-level training mission and encounters - a wind turbine. With turbine blades reaching within 8 feet of F-15s on missions out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, the proposed Pantego Wind Energy project resulted in a serious risk.

Also filed under [ Safety| USA]

North Carolina edges closer to repeal of renewable portfolio standard
April 5, 2013 by Felicity Carus in PV Tech

"What this bill does is try to soft land this business and to be competitive you need to move from government subsidy you need to move off the taxpayer rolls. I see this as an entitlement programme that is beginning to get its roots into our state. I see it as a regressive type tax." Hager's bill is part of a nationwide campaign to repeal state-based renewable portfolio standards.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

NC renewable energy law diminished in House bill
April 3, 2013 by Gary D. Robertson in The Associated Press

A House panel on Wednesday narrowly approved an effort to scale back and ultimately repeal a 2007 law requiring North Carolina electric utilities to generate a percentage of their power through alternative sources and locate energy savings. The House commerce subcommittee voted 11-10 in favor of the bill that would cap renewable energy and efficiency requirements by power companies, electric cooperatives and city-owned electric utilities at roughly half the level the law ultimately demands.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Subcommittee votes to reduce state support of renewable energy
April 3, 2013 by Molly Parker in Star News

A House subcommittee narrowly passed a bill Wednesday that chips away at a 2007 law that aimed to increase conservation efforts and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass. Rep. Chris Millis, R-Pender, one of the bill's sponsors, said the intent is to stop the burden of renewable energy subsidies and mandates on ratepayers.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Divided Pamlico board rejects tall structures ordinance
April 3, 2013 by Charlie Hall in New Bern Sun Journal

Pamlico County commissioners voted down a proposed tall structures ordinance Monday that would govern wind farms and communication towers. The split 4-3 vote came after a public hearing ...While the wording covers towers, the gist of the ordinance was aimed at potential wind turbine farms, which were first proposed in Pamlico County this past August.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]

New bill seeks to repeal N.C.'s renewable energy mandate
March 14, 2013 by Laura DiMugno in North American Windpower

North Carolina's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, passed in 2007, is 12.5% by 2021 for investor-owned utilities and 10% by 2018 for electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. The authors of the bill, dubbed the "Affordable and Reliable Energy Act," say the state's RPS is raising energy costs for North Carolina consumers.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Wind farms raise concerns on military bases in Eastern North Carolina
March 7, 2013 by Kyle Horan in WCTI TV 12

Wind turbine blades can distort radar image for both pilots and ground control. That distortion can make it difficult for Marine training exercises as well as make it more dangerous to fly. "It clutters what is otherwise a crisp and clear radar display."

Also filed under [ Safety]

Meeting on proposed solar farm gets heated
January 30, 2013 by Paul A. Specht in News Observer

Many doubted the claims of O2 owner, Joel Olsen, who said a solar farm would benefit the community. ...residents noted that the solar farm would not reduce their electric bills, and said they feared the value of their property would diminish if a solar farm were within view.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

NC's green energy policies could be rolled back
January 26, 2013 by John Murawski in Charlotte Observer

Republicans hope to roll back the state's green energy policy. It's part of a broader effort to reshape the state's energy landscape to reflect conservative priorities. It will likely dovetail with Republican Gov. Pat McCrory's campaign endorsement of offshore drilling and inland fracking for shale gas as a means of promoting energy independence.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Offshore wind development still faces hurdles
January 23, 2013 by Daniel Bowden in Lumina News

"[Duke Energy] has been committed to supporting research and study of wind energy generation, and we continue to believe there is good wind off the North Carolina coast, but we also recognize that any development in wind off the coast of the state has to make sense for our customers, the coastal communities and the company as a whole."

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind| USA]

Proposed Pantego wind farm stalls
January 12, 2013 by John Murawski in News Observer

The Pantego project's spinning blades pose a potential threat to bald eagles roosting and foraging in Beaufort County, and they would create a collision risk for F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets making practice runs from nearby Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Invenergy is considering whether to reconfigure the location of the giant turbines or give up on the site altogether and move the project.

Also filed under [ General]

Gov. McCrory vows to protect military against wind farm effects
January 9, 2013 in WNCT TV

A controversial wind farm is raising concerns about impacts to our local military. ...even if every turbine were lit, "an aircraft flying at 500 feet could potentially strike a turbine blade, with the likely loss of two lives and a $31 million irreplaceable combat asset."

Also filed under [ Safety| USA]

Progress, Duke want to slash payments for green energy
December 26, 2012 by John Murawski in News Observer

The power company's request is tied to the plummeting cost of natural gas, which is lowering the market price of electricity nationwide. Progress contends that it is now overpaying for the green energy it has to buy under state law, and passing on those inflated costs to its customers, who ultimately bear the financial burden in their monthly bills.

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy]

Lenoir commissioners oppose wind energy project
October 2, 2012 by David Anderson in Kinston Free Press

The commissioners voted unanimously Monday for a resolution which called for much stricter regulation by the state of wind and solar energy projects to ensure they do not encroach on military training areas or routes.

Also filed under [ General]

Board asks state to adopt law to protect military installations
September 27, 2012 by Robyn Wade in Goldsboro Daily News

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners are asking state legislators to pass a law blocking all encroachment or impairments to military training routes without state approval.

Also filed under [ General]