The WindAction Group (www.windAction.org)
Facts, analysis, exposure to industrial wind energy's real impacts
Library filed under Zoning/Planning from Massachusetts
Cheshire adopts wind, solar restrictions; OKs $5.3M budget
The town's new large wind energy facilities bylaw diminishes the prospect of industrial-scale wind turbines in Cheshire by requiring any turbine be set off from homes by at least a half-mile and emit limited noise. ... the bylaw passed by a margin of 87 to 27.
Peru Town Meeting bars development of industrial wind turbines
By a single vote, Peru residents at Saturday’s annual town meeting approved a zoning bylaw that bars major developers of wind energy from the town. The vote -- 105-52 -- exactly met the two-thirds-plus-one majority required.
Shelburne OKs ‘small’ wind law
Two years after banning “large-scale” commercial wind farms and putting on-hold any building of small on-premise turbines, Tuesday’s town meeting voters approved what Planning Board Chairman Matt Marchese called an “onerous” small scale wind bylaw.
A stormy forum on wind turbine placement
Turbines have been out the headlines for a couple of years now but there still on the minds of state officials and the Department of Public Utilities has been inquiring into the best practices for land based wind turbines since Oct. 31. They held a hearing at Cape Cod Community College last Thursday (Feb. 4), to seek input on the guidance they hope to provide local officials.
Wind siting debate returning in the spring
As for the DPU taking control, Karns worries about putting permitting under their control because of the department's "formal" nature. Karns said the DPU typically permits large energy plants or pipelines and opposing a process in that arena could become expensive for small municipalities or advocacy groups.
More time for public's wind-siting comments
Lilli-Ann Green, of Wellfleet, a member of Wind Wise-Massachusetts, wrote in an email that the group, which opposes the state's wind-energy policies, had asked for the extension to allow enough time for residents and experts to comment on the potential siting guidelines. The best practices developed through the process will not be regulations but would be offered to towns to use in existing reviews of wind-energy projects, according to state officials.
PLYMOUTH ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Wind turbine permit denied
David Paliotti, an attorney representing Algonquin Heights, which is within 600 feet of the proposed turbine, said the turbine would cause his client's property value to plummet, could cause serious health problems and would also be an eyesore. Kerry Kearney, who serves on the town's Energy Committee, said the proposal is "the worst wind turbine site in the state."
Plymouth Planning Board backs change to wind power bylaw; Proposal would limit wind turbines to 100 feet
With wind turbine proposals popping up all over town, several of them abutting residential areas, many neighbors and town officials have been clamoring for more stringent bylaws pertaining to the location of these behemoths and how high they should be allowed to soar.
Voters in Berkshire town defeat amendments to wind turbine bylaw
"I think what we're seeing throughout the region, throughout the state, and actually throughout New England is that people are looking at the experiences of other people who live near wind turbines and are saying 'we don't want that in our community'," said Tillinghast.
Plymouth Planning Board OKs one more continuance for DEP input on Stop & Shop turbine
Wind turbine proposals haven’t had the warmest reception in Plymouth, and this one is no exception. Attorney David Paliotti, who represents Algonquin Heights, the residential area closest to the proposed turbine, contends that it will exceed the sound limit guidelines, cause health problems, blight the landscape, and cause property values to nosedive. The Stop & Shop turbine would be located approximately 600 feet from the Algonquin Heights apartment complex.
Zoning board to vote on assertion that turbines are excessively noisy
Neil P. Andersen of Blacksmith Shop Road filed the appeal in November, asking the zoning board to overturn Building Commissioner Eladio R. Gore's ruling that Wind 1 did not present a nuisance by virtue of excessive noise-a ruling issued in response to a complaint by Mr. Andersen.
Some area residents steaming over solar projects
"Residents and abutters have little to no opportunity to have their voices heard in objections or their questions answered," Ms. Chase said. "Despite the numerous procedural errors that have occurred, the town continues to blindly allow this ill-sited project to deleteriously impact the public health, safety and welfare of the people who have made their home on Bearsden Road for years."
Falmouth voters revise turbine bylaw
At the opening night of annual town meeting, voters approved a bylaw that dramatically reduces the size of wind turbines allowed in town. The planning board presented the revised turbine siting bylaw Monday night, about five months after a similar bylaw was rejected at fall's town meeting.
Armstrong plans to address lack of surety bond for KWI, O’Donnell turbines
Kingston’s Wind Overlay District Bylaw requires turbine developers “to provide a form of surety at a date certain….to cover the cost of decommissioning in the event the town must remove the facility.” That certain date, and the size of the surety bond, will be decided by the Kingston Planning Board.
Heath OKs wind ban
Speaking as if with one voice, 96 special town meeting voters quickly and unanimously approved the Planning Board's zoning bylaw amendment banning "industrial scale" wind turbines from being built within town borders.
Doreen Reilly files zoning-violation complaint against Kingston Wind Independence
Reilly, who lives less than a quarter mile from the KWI Turbine on Leland Road, has been one of a plethora of residents claiming ill-health effects stemming from shadow flicker and infrasound generated by the KWI Turbine. Yesterday, Reilly filed a zoning complaint against the KWI Turbine with Kingston Zoning Enforcement Officer Paul Armstrong.
Are Kingston's wind turbines illegal?
The legality of Kingston's wind turbines stands in question today as KingstonJounral.com uncovers evidence to suggest that all four of Kingston's industrial-sized wind turbines may be out of compliance with existing town bylaws.
Representative Vieira Files Wind Energy Relief Act
If passed, the bill would establish two funds using money from the current Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund. One fund would set aside $15 million for residents, businesses and towns that incurred losses such as negative health effects and property loss.
Fairhaven health board member hopes for stricter turbine regulations
A regulation being considered by Bourne, Falmouth, Scituate and Kingston would lower that level to six decibels for wind turbines. A draft regulation being considered by three of those towns would also include regulations to account for the "whooshing" nature of turbine sound, as well as regulations for infrasound, or sound that is inaudible to humans.