WASHINGTON  - A U.S. House committee will kick off debate next week on three new bills aimed at boosting offshore wind energy leases in federal waters.

Offshore Wind Energy Policy USA

General Oklahoma

Wind farms are hailed as a source of clean, renewable energy. But even wind energy supporters acknowledge that those spinning wind turbine blades impose an environmental cost: dead birds. Consequently, federal wildlife officials are mulling a morbid question involving a large North Dakota wind farm: How many bald eagle deaths do they consider acceptable for a bird that is legally protected and hallowed as a national symbol?

Impact on Birds North Dakota

These wind turbines, standing at 643 feet with red lights atop each tower in the latest proposal would be visible from the beaches of Ocean City and Assateague Island National Seashore,” he said. “The wind turbines, as currently proposed, will reduce property values, jeopardize the safety of maritime travel and pose a threat to Ocean City’s commercial fishing and tourism industries.”

Impact on Views Offshore Wind Maryland

Impact on People Transmission Oklahoma

A group that opposes wind turbine projects in Seneca and surrounding counties has alleged what they called “alarming” and “concerning” correspondence between county officials and a pro-clean energy organization.

General Ohio

Asserting “our view is not for sale,” resort officials recently rejected an olive branch of sorts from US Wind that could have provided free electric power and other concessions to Ocean City in exchange for relaxing its opposition to the distance of the offshore wind turbines.

Impact on Views Offshore Wind Maryland

State lawmakers are working to amend 2014 legislation they believe has caused wind energy development to stall in Ohio.

General Ohio

Nearly 100 Branch County citizens attended a meeting last Thursday at Union City Middle School to hear about the effects of wind turbines. 

General Michigan

Corona landowners group argues for larger share because of years of effort to bring in wind turbines

Taxes & Subsidies New Mexico

Administrative Law Judge LauraSue Schlatter last month recommended that the Freeborn Wind farm be denied an operating permit, saying the southern Minnesota project failed to show it can meet state noise standards. Freeborn Wind’s developer, Invenergy, has objected.

Impact on People Noise Minnesota

In a unanimous vote on a motion by County Commissioner Tom Stewart last month, the commission decided to end negotiations with representatives from the Corona School District and to stick with a three-phase percentage division of payments in lieu of taxes from Clean Line Energy Partners for a wind turbine project. 

General New Mexico

Maine Aqua Ventus vows to work with the Public Utilities Commission to get its pilot wind farm moving forward.

Offshore Wind Maine

Ocean City officials ...have asked the Public Service Commission to reconsider the project because of what they call a major increase in the proposed turbines’ height, from 200 feet to about 370 feet. A commission spokeswoman said ... its chairman has the power to reconsider a project if it has been revised significantly.

Impact on Views Offshore Wind Maryland

General Massachusetts

Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christmann told legislators last week the commission was not involved with the agreement and he believes future offset packages should be handled differently.

Impact on Wildlife North Dakota

General Iowa

Commissioner Hanson offered a condition, which was agreed to by both parties that there be a liaison for everyone involved. “I feel strongly that folks in Clark County be given a clear path to communicate if they have concerns during the construction or operation of the facility,” he said.

General South Dakota

The Tug Hill Commission and the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust have both released issue papers detailing how wind farms, for better or worse, impact surrounding areas.

Impact on Wildlife Impact on Landscape New York

One 10-year study conducted in Dickey County showed that seven of nine grassland bird species avoided wind farms in the area. A three-year study of the impact of wind facilities on duck habitat in North Dakota found there were 20 percent fewer breeding pairs in areas with wind towers.

Impact on Wildlife North Dakota